Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Seizes Shipment of Iranian-made Weapons

Jeff Seldin

   Hundreds of missiles, weapons and munitions likely headed from Iran to
   Houthi militants in Yemen are in U.S. hands, intercepted during an
   operation earlier this week in the Arabian Sea.

   U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the seizure Thursday, four
   days after sailors with [1]theUSS Normandyboarded a dhow in the Arabian
   Sea and found the secret cache.

   According to a CENTCOM statement, the dhow was carrying 150
   Dehlaviehanti-tank guided missiles, described by U.S. officials as the
   Iranian versions of Russia's Kornet anti-tank missiles.

   U.S. sailors also seized three surface-to-air missiles, thermal imaging
   scopes, components for air- and land-based drones, as well as munitions
   and weaponparts.

   U.S. officials saidthe initial assessment left little doubt about where
   the weapons and weaponsystem components were from.

   "Everything points to these weapons being made in Iran," CENTCOM
   spokesmanCommander Zachary Harrell told VOA. "They're all very
   consistent with what we know about weapons that have been made in
   Iran."

   CENTCOM also said many of the seized weaponsystems were identical to
   advanced systems seized by the USS Forrest Sherman during an operation
   in the Arabian Sea inNovember.

   Sending such weapons to Yemen "would be in violation of a U.N. Security
   Council Resolution that prohibits the direct or indirect supply, saleor
   transfer of weapons to the Houthis,"the CENTCOM statement said.

   Sailors with the USS Normandy released the dhow's crew, all with papers
   showing they were Yemeni fishermen, once the weapons cache was secured.

   Officials said there was no evidence to link any of the crew members to
   any militant groups.

   Arrangements were being made for U.S. experts and experts from allied
   nations and international organizations to inspect the seized weapons.

   CENTCOM's announcement of Sunday's seizure came as the U.S. Senate was
   voting 55-45 to pass a resolution limiting President Donald Trump's
   ability to use military force against Iran without congressional
   approval.

   Trump is expected to veto the measure.

References

   1. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/739457/us-navy-seizes-illegal-weapons-arabian-sea

.