US Naval Forces Snag Large Shipment of Explosive Material en Route to Yemen From Iran

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs announced Tuesday, that the U.S. 5th Fleet intercepted an explosive cargo in the Gulf of Oman one week prior.

Manama, Bahrain – On Nov. 8, the U.S. 5th Fleet intercepted a fishing boat belonging to an American citizen in the Gulf of Oman. It was carrying lethal assistance and large quantities of explosives from Iran to Yemen.

U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) and guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) interdicted the vessel as it transited international waters. Patrol coastal ship USS Hurricane (PC 3) and Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians from U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 56 also assisted during a weeklong effort to fully search the vessel and verify the type of material found.

The shipment was large. According to CENTCOM, the shipment contained more than 70 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate.

U.S. intercepts explosive material in Gulf of Oman U.S. Navy, 11/8/22

Rocket fuel and missile fuel can both be made from ammonium perchlorate. It also makes explosives. Urea can also be used in explosives.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. On the day of the seizure, U.S. 5th Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command declared:

This huge amount of explosive material was sufficient to fuel more than a dozen medium-range missiles depending on their size. It’s dangerous and irresponsible.

Additional background information is taken from the AP

According to the Navy’s estimates, more than a dozen medium-range rockets could be fuelled with ammonium perchlorate. These weapons were used by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government and the Saudi-led coalition supporting it.

As Iran threatens Saudi Arabia and other countries, this apparent rearming effort comes as Iran has been threatening Saudi Arabia and other nations over months-long protests calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic’s theocracy. The protests have resulted in at most 344 deaths and 15 820 arrests. This comes amid a growing crackdown on dissent.

Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander added:

“CENTCOM is committed, together with our partner forces, to security, stability, and deterring illegal or destabilizing flows of lethal material into the region over land, in the air, and at sea. ”

CNN reports the vessel was found to be in the Gulf of Oman by US forces on November 13.