Why and how Iran smuggles weapons to the Houthis

The Iranian regime appears to have ratcheted up its efforts to illegally supply weapons to terrorist groups and its proxies, particularly the Houthis in Yemen.

When it comes to smuggling and supplying the Houthis with weapons, the Iranian regime is generally involved in four major actions. First is the supply, sale or transfer of short-range ballistic missiles known as Burkan-2H.

Second is the supply of field storage tanks, which are utilized for storing liquid bipropellant oxidizers that can be used in the development of ballistic missiles. Third is the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Ababil-T and Qasef-1. And fourth is the provision of ballistic missile technology.

The Iranian regime uses several methods to smuggle weapons, including ships and commercial airlines. Last week, a shipment of more than 2,100 Iranian assault rifles bound for the Houthis was intercepted by the US Navy within international waters in the Gulf of Oman. The shipment was destined for Yemen, based on a statement from the US military.

In November, the US Navy also intercepted a “large quantity” of explosive material in the Gulf of Oman that was heading toward Yemen.

It is important to point out that the Iranian regime’s actions are in direct violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which imposed an arms embargo on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

It is also worth noting that the conflict in Yemen means more to the Tehran regime than merely taunting its Gulf rivals. Instead, it appears to be an ideological endeavor aimed at uniting the Muslim world under its own Islamist rule, which sees any attempts at peace as merely delaying the process.

The Iranian regime has been facing ongoing protests for four months now due to its citizens’ economic, political, religious and social grievances against the theocratic establishment. 

Nevertheless, this has not compelled the authorities to address the people’s demands. And, in spite of the serious domestic crisis it is encountering, the regime has also not halted or cut down on its illegal smuggling of weapons to its proxies.