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21:45 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (KUNA) -- US Special Envoy to Iran Brian Hook said Thursday the US Navy and Coast Guard intercepted a vessel off Yemen and seized Iranian guided missile components en route to Houthi rebels.
Speaking to reporters at the Department of State, Hook said, "On November 25th, a US warship conducted a flag verification boarding in international waters off the coast of Yemen."
"We interdicted a significant hoard of weapons and missile parts, evidently of Iranian origin. As you can see from the images behind me, the seizure includes sophisticated weapons, sophisticated components of anti-ship cruise missiles, land attack cruise missiles, air defense missiles, and anti-tank missiles.
"The vessel reportedly was heading to Yemen to deliver these weapons," Hook said.
"The weapon components comprise the most sophisticated weapons seized by the US Navy to date during the Yemen conflict. I want to congratulate the US Armed Forces and the US Coast Guard for this important interdiction.
"This discovery is yet more proof of Iran's efforts to inflame conflicts in the region by proliferating deadly weapons to its proxies.
"It is also further evidence of how Iran repeatedly violates the UN arms embargo which has been in place for over a decade," he went on.
"Also relating to Yemen, I am announcing today that the State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering up to USD 15 million for information on the financial activities, networks, and associates of Abdul Reza Shahlai.
"He (Shahlai) is a Yemen-based high-ranking commander of the IRGC's Qods Force. This is a part of the Rewards for Justice program for information leading to the disruption of IRGC operations.
"Shahlai has a long history of attacks Americans and our allies globally," he noted, adding, "We remain gravely concerned by his presence in Yemen and potential role in providing advanced weaponry of the kind that we have interdicted to the Houthis." (end)
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