Aiexpress – The Department of Justice has revealed that four suspects have been charged in a criminal complaint after US naval forces intercepted a vessel in the Arabian Sea. The vessel was carrying suspected advanced conventional weaponry believed to be of Iranian origin.
Following the tragic incident, Governor Wes Moore confirmed the loss of Marylander Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers amongst the SEALs who were killed.
The individuals who have been accused:
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- Muhammad Pahlawan;
- Mohammad Mazhar;
- Ghufran Ullah;
- Izhar Muhammad.
On Thursday, Jan. 11, prosecutors assert that US Central Command Navy forces, operating from the USS LEWIS B. PULLER, took action by boarding an unflagged dhow, a small vessel, in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia. The operation involved Navy SEALs and members of the US Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team East.
According to reports, they came across over a dozen individuals on the vessel.
During the search of the vessel, court documents state that the boarding team reportedly found and confiscated what they believe to be advanced conventional weaponry manufactured in Iran.
The documents reveal that the analysis of advanced conventional weaponry suggests the inclusion of crucial components for medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles. These components encompass a warhead, as well as propulsion and guidance components.
The weapons discovered in the dhow are said to match the weapons utilized by the Houthi rebel forces in recent assaults on merchant ships and US military vessels in the area.
“The transfer of missiles and other sophisticated weapons from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen poses a significant threat to the well-being and interests of the United States and our regional allies,” emphasized Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
In an operation aimed at preventing the smuggling of Iranian-made weapons, two Navy SEALs courageously sacrificed their lives. The defendants, who are now facing charges, allegedly intended to provide these weapons to the Houthis. Such weaponry could have posed a significant threat to American forces and jeopardized freedom of navigation in a crucial trade route.
Four men and eight out of ten witnesses to the incident appeared in Virginia on Thursday afternoon for their initial appearances.
Pahlawan deliberately and unlawfully transported a warhead on board the dhow. He knew that the warhead would be utilized by the Houthi rebel forces to attack commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and neighboring waters.
“The Iranian Government’s efforts to supply Houthi rebels with missile components aimed at targeting US military ships, merchant vessels, and Israel will be vigorously investigated and disrupted by the FBI,” declared FBI Director Christopher Wray.
According to reports, the four individuals involved in this case are accused of transporting missile components that are believed to be of Iranian origin. These components are specifically designed for the type of weaponry that has been used in recent attacks by the Houthi rebels.
They accused all four of them of giving false information to US Coast Guard officers while boarding the dhow about the crew and cargo of the vessel.
If convicted of unlawfully transporting a warhead, Pahlawan could potentially face up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, all four individuals could be sentenced to a maximum of five years for making false statements.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division further stated that Mr. Pahlawan had been apprehended for his attempt to smuggle sophisticated missile components, including a warhead, to the Houthi rebels. The purpose of this smuggling operation was to target cargo ships and US vessels navigating through the Horn of Africa.
“The Justice Department, along with its US agency partners, is actively working to prevent malicious actors from possessing the capabilities to endanger international shipping and put the lives of our military personnel at risk.”
