The fighting in Yemen and the proxy war we have with Iran just greatly escalated as the US has sent the USS Theodore Roosevelt to join other American ships to intercept Iranian vessels delivering weapons to rebels in Yemen.
The Houthis rebels, backed by Iran, are battling government-backed fighters in an effort to take control of the country. Iran boldly challenging the US and Saudi Arabia to intercept the ships, making no secret of the incoming shipment of arms.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/us-warships-to-intercept-iranian-arms-shipments-2015-4#ixzz3XtSJnX2s
The U.S. Navy has been beefing up its presence in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Arabian Sea amid reports that a convoy of about eight Iranian ships is heading toward Yemen and possibly carrying arms for the Houthis.
A Navy official confirmed to Fox News that the USS Theodore Roosevelt — along with her escort ship, the USS Normandy, a guided-missile cruiser — left the Persian Gulf on Sunday en route for the Arabian Sea, to help enforce the blockade.
Tensions are rising in the region even as the U.S. and five other world powers scramble to strike a final deal with Iran on its nuclear program by the end of June. The fighting in Yemen, where U.S. ally Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition against the Iran-backed rebels, is complicating matters.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, without commenting specifically on any Navy movements, said the U.S. has concerns about Iran’s “continued support” for the Houthis.
“We have seen evidence that the Iranians are supplying weapons and other armed support to the Houthis in Yemen. That support will only contribute to greater violence in that country,” he said. “These are exactly the kind of destabilizing activities that we have in mind when we raise concerns about Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.”
He said “the Iranians are acutely aware of our concerns for their continued support of the Houthis by sending them large shipments of weapons.”
A written statement from the Navy on Monday said the two ships are joining others in conducting “maritime security operations” in the region.
“In recent days, the U.S. Navy has increased its presence in this area as a result of the current instability in Yemen,” the statement said.
“The purpose of these operations is to ensure the vital shipping lanes in the region remain open and safe. The United States remains committed to its regional partners and to maintaining security in the maritime environment.”
The Houthis are battling government-backed fighters in an effort to take control of the country.
There are now about nine U.S. Navy ships in the region, including cruisers and destroyers carrying teams that can board and search other vessels, as well as three support ships.
The U.S. Navy generally conducts consensual boardings of ships when needed, including to combat piracy around Africa and the region. So far, however, U.S. naval personnel have not boarded any Iranian vessels since the Yemen conflict began.
Glad to see it however it is going to take a renewing of American’s minds. Good Read for thoughtful study is World Order by Henry Kissinger!Time to STUDY and raise the BAR!.
the U.S. just can’t keep out of any other countries business.
I thought iran was obama’s new buddy.
“freedom of navigation” In his mind, may be for the Iranian freighters…
I don’t know what to make of this I’m afraid we’re going to unloading the iranian shipments.
What? You mean it’s possible to use diplomacy with a country that has broken no laws in regards to nuclear proliferation, and still use other methods to block their support of terrorism? I thought that all these issues were wrapped together, and the only answer was to bomb them?
And there it is. The stupidest $#%&!@*ing thing I’m likely to read all day.
Who do you think authorized this?
Their is a preliminary agreement, but I don’t believe it directly addresses this.
Yeah….