British and American forces have joined efforts to intercept an illegal weapons shipment from Iran, during the operation, which took place in the Gulf of Oman, US forces provided support for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance to Royal Navy. The coordinated efforts between the two nations resulted in the discovery of anti-tank-guided missiles and missile components on a small boat of Iranian origin. HMS Lancaster, a Royal Navy frigate, confiscated the illicit weapons shipment, which included Iranian versions of Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, known as “Dehlavieh” in Iran, and medium-range ballistic missile components.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, US 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces said: “This is the seventh illegal weapon or drug interdiction in the last three months and yet another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region.
“We will continue to work with our partners in pursuing any destabilizing activity that threatens regional maritime security and stability.”
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