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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Responds to Massive US Weapons Bust
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran has denied U.S. accusations that it is fueling the war in Yemen through arms transfers to Houthi rebels, following what U.S. officials called the largest-ever seizure of Iranian-made weapons bound for the group. Iran's foreign ministry dismissed the claim as "baseless." Newsweek has reached out the Pentagon for comment. Why It Matters The allegation, announced by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), comes amid escalating Red Sea tensions after Houthi forces resumed deadly attacks on commercial shipping in what they say is support for Palestinians in Gaza. The seized weapons shipment and renewed Houthi maritime attacks have deepened global concerns over Red Sea security, threatening vital trade routes just weeks after open conflict between Israel and Iran. As tensions spike, U.S. officials warn of growing threats to freedom of navigation, commercial flow, and regional stability—while the standoff sharpens Washington's broader push to isolate Tehran and curb its network of proxy forces across the Middle East. Houthi supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/ Houthi supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/ Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo What To Know CENTCOM said on Wednesday that Yemen's National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi militia led by General Tareq Saleh, seized more than 750 tons of advanced Iranian weaponry intended for the Houthis. The shipment included anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, warheads, hundreds of drone engines, radar systems, air defense components, and encrypted communications gear. Manuals in Farsi and other markings indicated the weapons were produced by a company affiliated with Iran's Ministry of Defense. CENTCOM described the operation as the most significant interdiction of Iranian arms since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. On Friday, CENTCOM shared footage of what they said were Yemen's NRF intercepting a vessel smuggling Iranian weapons to the Houthis. Yemen's National Resistance Forces released new footage of the interception of a vessel smuggling Iranian weapons to the Houthis in the Red Sea. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 17, 2025 Tehran Rejects Blame Tehran rejected the accusation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei called the claim "baseless and part of a media campaign against Iran," accusing the U.S. of seeking to deflect attention from its own role in regional instability. He did not address the specifics of the intercepted shipment or provide alternative explanations for the weapons' origin. Iran has consistently denied arming the Houthis, despite repeated claims by U.S. and UN officials over the years linking Tehran to advanced weapons used by the rebel group. Houthi Attacks The seizure comes amid renewed Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. On July 6, the Magic Seas, a Greek owned bulk carrier owned, was hit by missiles and an explosive drone boat, forcing the crew to abandon ship. in the same week, the Eternity C, also Greek-owned, was attacked. Both vessels were severely damaged and sank. These are the deadliest maritime attacks since the Houthis resumed hostilities after a June 24 ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The group says the attacks show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and vows to keep disrupting Red Sea shipping until Israeli operations end in the war against Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Screengrab shows Houthi Attack on Magic Seas vessel in the Red Sea July 6, 2025. Screengrab shows Houthi Attack on Magic Seas vessel in the Red Sea July 6, 2025. Ansar Allah Media office What People Are Saying Esmail Baqaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman: "Baseless and part of a media campaign against Iran." General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander: "The interdiction of this massive Iranian shipment shows that Iran remains the most destabilizing actor in the region. Limiting the free flow of Iranian support to the Houthis is critical to regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation." What Happens Next The U.S. is expected to step up its coordination with Yemeni and European partners to halt future Iranian arms transfers and strengthen naval defenses amid growing fears of wider conflict in one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.
The Herald Scotland
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Four presumed dead and 11 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship
Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the EU mission said. Houthi supporters attend a weekly protest against the US and Israel in Sanaa (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' a spokesman added. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The US Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where 1 trillion dollars in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sunk four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the US had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. They stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weeks-long campaign of air strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear programme — remain in the balance.
Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Four presumed dead and 11 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship
The update from the EU's Operation Aspides came as private security forces continue to search for survivors from the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier that sank on Wednesday. Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the EU mission said. Houthi supporters attend a weekly protest against the US and Israel in Sanaa (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' a spokesman added. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The US Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where 1 trillion dollars in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sunk four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the US had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. They stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weeks-long campaign of air strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear programme — remain in the balance.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Four presumed dead and 11 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship
The update from the EU's Operation Aspides came as private security forces continue to search for survivors from the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier that sank on Wednesday. Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the EU mission said. Houthi supporters attend a weekly protest against the US and Israel in Sanaa (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' a spokesman added. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The US Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where 1 trillion dollars in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sunk four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the US had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. They stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weeks-long campaign of air strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear programme — remain in the balance.
Western Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Four presumed dead and 11 missing after Houthi attack on cargo ship
The update from the EU's Operation Aspides came as private security forces continue to search for survivors from the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier that sank on Wednesday. Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the EU mission said. Houthi supporters attend a weekly protest against the US and Israel in Sanaa (Osamah Abdulrahman/AP) 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' a spokesman added. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The US Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where 1 trillion dollars in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sunk four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the US had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. They stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weeks-long campaign of air strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear programme — remain in the balance.
