The US has seized thousands of rifles and nearly two dozen anti-tank missiles imported from Iran and transported through shipping lanes.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Tuesday that CENTCOM officials — working with international naval partners — successfully intercepted the shipment of more than 3,000 rifles from Iran to Yemen.
The US Central Command, working with international naval partners, has seized more than 3,000 rifles, 578,000 rounds of ammunition and 23 advanced anti-tank guided missiles from Iran.
(US Central Command)
In addition to the rifles, authorities recovered nearly 600,000 rounds of ammunition and 23 anti-tank guided missiles.
The January 15 ban took place in the Gulf of Oman, where CENTCOM and its naval partners seized the ship’s cargo.
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The area where illegal arms smuggling was discovered has been a historic trade route.
The January 15 ban took place in the Gulf of Oman, where CENTCOM and its naval partners seized the ship’s cargo.
(US Central Command)
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A French warship stopped a suspected smuggling vessel off the Yemeni coast on Jan. 15 and sent French special forces operators to board and search the vessel.
The soldiers found more than 3,000 assault rifles, 500,000 ammunition and 20 anti-tank guided missiles. according to The Wall Street Journal. The US, French and British navies have coordinated an effort to block Iran’s smuggling operations in the region.
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Iran has tried to supply the Houthi rebels in Yemen with deadly aid for months, even as the Yemeni civil war remains under a ceasefire.
Anders Hagstrom of Fox News contributed to this report.