Coordinated efforts amongst U.S. and UK maritime forces led to Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) confiscating anti-tank guided missiles and missile parts from a small boat that originated from Iran. UK forces found packages that included Iranian variations of Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, recognized in Iran as “Dehlavieh,” and medium-range ballistic missile parts.
“That is the seventh unlawful weapon or drug interdiction within the final three months and yet one more instance of Iran’s growing malign maritime exercise throughout the area,” mentioned Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. fifth Fleet and Mixed Maritime Forces. “We’ll proceed to work with our companions in pursuing any destabilizing exercise that threatens regional maritime safety and stability.”
The interdiction occurred alongside a route traditionally used to visitors weapons unlawfully to Yemen. The direct or oblique provide, sale or switch of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates U.N. Safety Council Decision 2216 and worldwide regulation.
U.S. and UK naval forces commonly conduct mixed maritime safety operations to disrupt the circulation of illicit cargo in Center East waters. Final yr, U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose (F236) and mixed air belongings led to Royal Navy forces seizing surface-to-air missiles and land-attack cruise-missile engines.
Previously three months, seven main interdictions have resulted in U.S. and associate maritime forces seizing greater than 5,000 weapons, 1.6 million rounds of ammunition, 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets, 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket propelled grenades, 30 anti-tank guided missiles, medium-range ballistic missile parts and $80 million value of unlawful medication.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United Kingdom Maritime Element Command are headquartered in Manama, Bahrain.
