US Navy Seizes Ammunition En Route from Iran to Yemen's Houthis

A handout photo released on December 3, 2022, by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a fishing trawler intercepted by the US Navy operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by DVIDS / AFP)
A handout photo released on December 3, 2022, by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a fishing trawler intercepted by the US Navy operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by DVIDS / AFP)
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US Navy Seizes Ammunition En Route from Iran to Yemen's Houthis

A handout photo released on December 3, 2022, by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a fishing trawler intercepted by the US Navy operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by DVIDS / AFP)
A handout photo released on December 3, 2022, by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a fishing trawler intercepted by the US Navy operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by DVIDS / AFP)

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet said on Saturday it had intercepted a fishing trawler smuggling "more than 50 tons of ammunition rounds, fuses and propellants for rockets" in the Gulf of Oman along a maritime route from Iran to Yemen on Dec. 1.

"Navy personnel operating from expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) discovered the illicit cargo during a flag verification boarding, marking US 5th Fleet’s second major illegal weapons seizure within a month," it added in a statement.

"This significant interdiction clearly shows that Iran's unlawful transfer of lethal aid and destabilizing behavior continues," Vice Admiral Brad Cooper said.

"US naval forces remain focused on deterring and disrupting dangerous and irresponsible maritime activity in the region."

The fishing trawler intercepted on Thursday was carrying nearly 7,000 rocket fuses and "over 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket propelled grenades", the statement said.

"The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law," it added.

Last month the US navy said it had scuttled a boat transporting "explosive materials" from Iran to supply the Houthis, with enough power to fuel a dozen ballistic rockets.



Syrian FM Says Will Visit European Countries in Coming Period

Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani (C) meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (R) in Damascus, Syria, 10 January 2025. EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI
Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani (C) meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (R) in Damascus, Syria, 10 January 2025. EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI
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Syrian FM Says Will Visit European Countries in Coming Period

Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani (C) meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (R) in Damascus, Syria, 10 January 2025. EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI
Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani (C) meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (R) in Damascus, Syria, 10 January 2025. EPA/GIUSEPPE LAMI

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said on Friday that he will visit European countries in the coming period.

He spoke during a press conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Damascus.

Tajani said he was traveling to Syria on Friday to encourage the country's transition following the ouster of President Bashar Assad, and said Europe should review its sanctions on Damascus now that the political situation has changed.

“It’s an issue that should be discussed because Assad isn’t there anymore, it’s a new situation, and I think that the encouraging signals that are arriving should be further encouraged,” he said.