By Al-Fassel | 2024-02-21

In late January, the US military seized advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran that was destined for areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis from a vessel in the Arabian Sea -- and not for the first time.

A team from US Coast Guard cutter Clarence Sutphin Jr. boarded the vessel on January 28, the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed on February 15.

The boarding team discovered more than 200 packages that contained medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives and unmanned underwater/surface vehicle (UUV/USV) components, it said.

They also found military-grade communication and network equipment, anti-tank guided missile launcher assemblies and other military components, it said.

The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of such aid violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216, which prohibits the supply of arms to Yemen.

"This is yet another example of Iran's malign activity in the region," said CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla.

"Their continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine the safety of international shipping and the free flow of commerce," he said.

Before the latest Red Sea arms seizure, the United States had interdicted Yemen-bound weapon shipments originating from Iran on close to 20 occasions.

On January 16, it announced the first seizure of Iran-supplied weapons to the Houthis since the group began its wave of attacks on international shipping.

During that incident, US naval forces boarded a boat heading for Yemen and seized Iranian-made missile components and other weaponry, CENTCOM said.

'Evolving and strengthening' ties

In an unclassified report released February 6, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) confirmed the Houthis' use of Iranian missiles and drones to conduct attacks across the Middle East.

The report points to the "evolving and strengthening" relationship between the Houthis and Iran, showing that the Houthis have employed various Iranian-origin missiles and drones against military and civilian targets throughout the region.

Through a comparative analysis, it shows the similarity of Iranian missiles and drones to those displayed and used by the Houthis to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea and civilian and port infrastructure across the region.

The report concludes that Iran's aid has enabled the Houthis to conduct a campaign of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) -- or drone -- attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea since last November.

The Houthis' attacks threaten freedom of navigation and international commerce, and have disrupted international shipping by raising the cost and extending the journey for vessels forced to bypass the corridor.

Although Iran does not openly acknowledge that it arms and funds the Houthis, the Iranian regime has thrown its full support behind the group, with Iranian leader Ali Khamenei lauding the Houthis in a January 16 speech.

Khamenei described the Houthis' attacks as "endeavors," and expressed hope that their attacks on ships in the Red Sea continue "until victory."

The Houthis "have truly done a great job," Khamenei said.

Proliferation of Iranian weapons

Between 2015 and 2023, per the DIA report, the United States and its partners have interdicted at least 18 Iranian smuggling vessels en route to the Houthis.

Ballistic missile components, drones, antitank guided missiles and thousands of assault rifles, rocket components and other illicit weapons have been seized from these vessels, the report says.

"Since 2017, Iran has proliferated advanced UAVs to global conflict zones," it adds -- also noting the similarity between Iranian drones and those used by Russia in its assault on Ukraine.

"These UAVs combine an extended range, low cost and explosive payload to allow conflict actors such as the Houthis, other Iran-aligned militias and Russia to threaten territorial sovereignty, regional stability and the global economy."

Since 2014, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) has provided the Houthis with a growing arsenal of sophisticated weapons and training, the report says.

The Houthis have used Iranian weapons and know-how to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea and civilian port and energy infrastructure across the region.

Since 2015, it says, "the Houthi-Iran relationship has evolved and strengthened, enabling the Houthis to effectively threaten the Yemeni government and the broader Middle East."

"The two have built a relationship that is likely to endure, as Iran views the Houthis as an extension of its regional power and the Houthis look to Iran to enhance their military capabilities," it says.

"Iranian leaders' statements and Tehran's weapons proliferation illustrate how Iran views the Houthis as integral to its own efforts to project power and destabilize the region."

Weapons have identical features

"Photographs of weapons displayed and fired by Iran and the Houthis, as well as those illegally smuggled aboard boats from Iran, strongly suggest their Iranian origin," per the DIA report, which offers a detailed comparison between them.

The Sammad drone, which the Houthis began using in 2018, has elements consistent with the Iranian Sayad (KAS-04), it says.

The Waed 2 drone, which the Houthis first showcased at a March 2021 exhibit in Sanaa, shares nearly identical features with the Iranian Shahed-136. And the Houthis' Waed 1 drone shares features consistent with Iran's Shahed-131.

Since at least 2015, the report says, Iran has provided the Houthis a diverse arsenal of short-and medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles, including anti- ship variants, enabling Houthi attacks against targets on land and at sea.

It notes the similarity between missiles displayed and deployed by the Houthis and those produced by Iran.

The Hatem ballistic missile resembles the Iranian Kheibar Shekan MRBM, for example, and the Karar ballistic missile is similar to Iran's Fateh-110.

The Houthis first revealed their Toofan ballistic missile during a military parade last September in Sanaa, it points out, noting that the missile's configuration is consistent with Iran's Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile.

Iran on February 12 claimed to have "successfully" launched a long-range ballistic missile from a warship, various media outlets reported.

"If true that a long-range ballistic missile was fired from a vessel, it would mark a significant moment, since Iran has always maintained that its military posture is purely defensive," Iran International reported.

"But boasting about warships appearing 'at any spot in the oceans' with long-range missiles is not," it said.