Four foreign nationals have been charged with transporting suspected Iranian-made weapons on a vessel intercepted by U.S. naval forces in the Arabian Sea. The operation resulted in the tragic deaths of two Navy SEALs during the mission.
According to the complaint, the defendants were found in possession of Pakistani identification cards and were transporting suspected Iranian-made missile components. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco expressed concern over the flow of weapons from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen, stating that it threatens American interests.
The defendants are also facing charges for providing false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the vessel. The Navy forces boarded an unflagged vessel where they discovered the Iranian-made weapons.
Defense attorney for one of the defendants, Muhammad Pahlawan, has declined to comment on the case. The four defendants had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court and are scheduled for a detention hearing.
Additionally, the affidavit states that crew members on the vessel admitted to departing from Iran and being in contact with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps via satellite phone. The four defendants have been charged while the other 10 individuals on board have been filed as material witnesses in the case.
This incident highlights the ongoing concern surrounding the illegal transportation of weapons and the potential threat it poses to American interests in the region. The case is still developing as authorities continue to investigate the origins and intended destination of the suspected Iranian-made weapons.
