Yemen’s National Resistance Forces (NRF) intercepted a massive Iranian weapons shipment in the Red Sea, seizing over 750 tons of missiles, drone components, and radar systems intended for the Houthis. Manuals in Farsi and links to Iran’s sanctioned defense ministry highlight Tehran’s continued violations of UN arms embargoes. U.S. Central Command praised the NRF’s interdiction as the largest in Yemen’s history and a critical move for regional security.
Why it matters
The operation reveals the ongoing scale of Iran’s military support for Houthi forces in Yemen, a direct violation of U.N. arms embargoes. It marks a rare and massive seizure of advanced weaponry, including anti-ship missiles and drone engines, raising concerns about regional destabilization and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The details
- NRF forces, led by Gen. Tareq Saleh, seized more than 750 tons of weapons and equipment.
- The cache included hundreds of advanced cruise, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles, warheads, seekers, and critical components.
- Also confiscated: drone engines, air defense systems, radar systems, and communication devices.
- Instruction manuals in Farsi were found, and many items were reportedly made by a company tied to the Iranian Ministry of Defense, which is under U.S. sanctions.
Yemen’s National Resistance Forces released new footage of the interception of a vessel smuggling Iranian weapons to the Houthis in the Red Sea. pic.twitter.com/8DbzH70sFT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 17, 2025
What they’re saying
— Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command
Between the lines
This shipment violates United Nations Security Council Resolutions prohibiting arms transfers to non-state actors like the Houthis. It also highlights Iran’s persistent efforts to expand its proxy influence despite international sanctions and scrutiny.
Official confirmation
U.S. Central Command confirmed the seizure in a press release on July 16, 2025, and on social media.
Congratulations to the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF), led by Gen. Tareq Saleh, for the largest seizure of Iranian advanced conventional weapons in their history.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 16, 2025
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 16, 2025
The bottom line
The NRF’s actions have prevented what could have been a game-changing influx of advanced weaponry into Yemen’s civil war. The operation bolsters maritime security in the Red Sea and supports international efforts to curb Iranian arms trafficking.
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