US Condemns Smuggling of Weapons from Iran to Yemen

The US State Department condemned the smuggling of weapons from Iran to Yemen as a flagrant violation of UN sanctions and a striking example of “destructive Iranian activities.” The department’s spokesperson said Iran’s support for armed groups endangers global security.

The US State Department condemned the smuggling of weapons originating from Iran to Yemen as a flagrant violation of UN sanctions. The spokesperson said Iran’s support for armed groups in the region endangers global security.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department, described the smuggling of weapons from Tehran to Yemeni Houthis as a clear example of “destructive Iranian activities” in prolonging the Yemen war.

Price emphasized in a statement that the Biden administration is committed to countering this Iranian threat.

The US State Department’s spokesperson said: “Iran’s support for armed groups in the region is a threat to international and regional security, to forces, personnel, American citizens, and to Washington’s partners in the region and beyond.”

The US State Department’s statement said that the illegal transfer of weapons to Yemen is causing Houthi attacks on Marib and is intensifying the dire conditions of civilians and war in Yemen.

A day earlier, the Fifth Fleet of the US Navy announced that two of its coastal patrol ships seized an illicit weapons shipment on Monday from a fishing vessel flying no flag in the northern Arabian Sea, located in the northern Indian Ocean.

According to the US Navy’s announcement, the shipment contained approximately 1,400 AK-47 rifles and more than 226,000 rounds of ammunition.

Washington said five crew members of the vessel, who identified themselves as Yemeni, will be returned to Yemen.

Weapons sanctions on the Houthis were imposed in 2015. Previously, UN experts have warned that substantial evidence shows the transfer of weapons and equipment to the Houthis by individuals and entities in Iran.

Source: DW