For years, Iran has been accused of smuggling weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This has been confirmed by recent seizures by French, US and British forces in the Gulf of Oman. On February 23, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster intercepted a small boat heading from Iran to Yemen. Inside, they discovered Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles and fins for medium-range ballistic missiles.
The UN has imposed a ban on arms transfers to the Iranian-allied Houthis, though Tehran has denied any involvement. In response to this seizure, British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said it “supports our commitment to uphold international law and tackle activity that threatens peace and security around the world”. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper of the US 5th Fleet echoed this sentiment, calling it “another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region”.
The war in Yemen has been a major humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 people killed and 14,500 civilians among them. In March 2022, Saudi Arabia began a ceasefire which expired in October despite diplomatic efforts to renew it. This has raised fears that the conflict could escalate again.
Western powers have been increasing pressure on Iran due to their enrichment of uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. The Royal Navy’s seizure of illegal weapons is an example of their commitment to upholding international law and maintaining peace and security around the world. It is also a reminder of the devastating effects of the war in Yemen and the need for a lasting ceasefire.