US Navy seizes 70 tons of missile fuel on ship from Iran to Yemen

SMA NEWS – WASHINGTON
‘Massive’ amount of explosive material enough to fuel a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles
The US Navy stopped the vessel and its four Yemeni crew.
A fishing vessel smuggling missile fuel and a large quantity of explosives from Iran to Yemen has been intercepted by the US Navy in the Gulf of Oman.
More than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel, were found, as well as explosives, the Navy said.
The US 5th Fleet stopped the vessel and its four Yemeni crew in international waters on November 8. It was the fleet’s first ever ammonium perchlorate discovery.
“This was a massive amount of explosive material, enough to fuel more than a dozen medium-range ballistic missiles depending on the size,” said Vice Adm Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
“The unlawful transfer of lethal aid from Iran does not go unnoticed. It is irresponsible, dangerous and leads to violence and instability across the Middle East.”
The forces also found more than 100 tons of urea fertiliser, a chemical compound with agricultural applications that is also used as an explosive precursor.
“The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of weapons to the Houthis violates UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law,” Vice Adm Cooper said.