US Intercepts Iran Weapons Set For Houthis As Frequency Of Attacks Fall

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has posted on X a message confirming that a US Coastguard ship intercepted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that it claims was carrying "advanced conventional weapons and other lethal aid originating in Iran and bound to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen". The weapons seizure comes two days after the last Houthi attackon shipping in and around the Red Sea, which itself was the first attack in six days.

• CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla: "This is yet another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region. Their continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine the safety of international shipping and the free flow of commerce.”
• The airstrikes on Houthi targets led by the US are unlikely to bring a definitive end to the Houthis campaign against container shipping, especially while the conflict in Gaza continues. However, it would appear (at present at least) that they may have degraded the Houthis' abilities to carry out effective attacks by eliminating launch sites, radar stations and the like.
• The fact of fewer targets to hit could also be playing its part, with many firms sending their vessels on the lengthy diversion round the Cape of Good Hope rather than the Suez Canal.