UK warship seized ‘advanced Iranian missiles’ bound for Yemen
Al Jazeera
UK Navy Intercepts 'Iran Missiles' Likely Headed for Yemen
Image copyright: Al Jazeera/Associated Press
The Facts
The British Royal Navy said on Thursday that it had seized anti-tank missiles and fins for ballistic missile assemblies during a raid on a small boat heading from Iran. It added that the boat was likely headed to Yemen in the Gulf of Oman when it was raided on Feb. 23.
The boat reportedly contained Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles — known in Iran as "Dehlavieh" — and small fins that the US Navy identified as jet vanes for medium-range ballistic missiles. It was also carrying impact sensor covers designed to be placed on the tips of the ballistic missiles.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Russia-backed Iran, which considers the Houthis part of an axis of resistance against Israel and the United States, is providing arms, training, and financial support to the rebels to increase their ability to put significant pressure on US-backed Saudi Arabia. This seizure of a weapons cache from an Iranian ship is the seventh such interdiction in the last three months, demonstrating Iran's increasing malign maritime activity in the region.
Establishment-critical narrative
The Houthis are neither Iranian proxies nor puppets. In fact, Iran has publicly advocated in favor of a diplomatic solution in Yemen. Western accusations that Iran supplies Houthi rebels with advanced weapons are politically motivated and designed to mislead the public. Those supplying arms to aggressors and enablers of the blockade of the oppressed people of Yemen are in no position to accuse others.