CENTCOM: Weapons were being sent from Iran to Yemen's Houthis

A spokesman for the US Central Command (CENTCOM) says the seized cruise missile parts match those used in the attack on Saudi Aramco oil facilities last summer.

William Urban, spokesman for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), provided more details on Wednesday, February 19, about the seized Iranian weapons near Yemeni waters.

These weapons were seized last week (Thursday, February 13) on a boat in the Arabian Sea, and according to American officials, they were intended to reach Yemen and the hands of the Houthis in that country.

The seized weapons included 150 anti-tank guided missiles, which CENTCOM officials said were designed and manufactured by Iran, modeled after a Russian-made missile. In addition, the seized boat contained three surface-to-air missiles, thermal imaging cameras, and other Iranian ammunition for air and sea-based guided weapons.

"The United States is confident that these weapons were manufactured in Iran and sent to the Houthis," a CENTCOM spokesman said at the news conference. He also said the United States has no doubt about where the weapons came from or where they were going.

A CENTCOM spokesman said in his statement on Wednesday that the cruise missile seized last week was a Model 351, which matches the model of missiles used in the attack on Aramco oil facilities.

In addition, according to a spokesman for the US Central Command, the seized military cameras are similar to equipment manufactured in Iran and widely used by Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

One of the CENTCOM spokesperson's assertions at yesterday's press conference was that the cruise missile parts seized last week were consistent with the cruise missile parts used in the attack on Saudi Aramco oil facilities last summer.

Source: DW