According to a statement on X by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the seized shipment amounted to more than 750 tons of war materiel. It included “hundreds of advanced anti-ship missiles, UAV components, radar systems, and communication equipment,” CENTCOM said. Photos from the operation reportedly showed advanced rocket parts and drone engines, many bearing Iranian markings.

The U.S. noted that this level of shipment suggested a “significant escalation” in Iran’s efforts to arm its regional proxies, particularly the Houthis. It did not disclose the interception location or details of U.S. involvement but praised the Yemeni forces’ operation.

Iranian Arms Flow Fuels Red Sea Escalation

The National Resistance—led by Tareq Saleh, nephew of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh—is not formally part of Yemen’s internationally recognized government but fights against the Houthis. Reuters reports that the group has been instrumental in several operations along Yemen’s western coast.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, Houthi fighters have intensified attacks on Red Sea shipping, which they claim is in solidarity with Palestinians. The Iranian-backed group launched ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and targeted U.S. and Israeli vessels.

In response, the U.S. and Israel conducted multiple airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. The latest arms seizure may reinforce Washington’s argument that Iran is violating U.N. arms embargoes and threatening maritime security across the region.