US Sends Weapons Seized from Iran to Ukraine

Last week, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on social media that the weapons and ammunition being sent by Iran to the Houthis in Yemen and seized by the US Navy were being sent to Ukraine. This transfer will provide a solution to Ukraine’s ammunition shortage, especially for artillery and air defense systems.

Strategic Ammunition Transfer

The U.S. government has provided 500,000 rounds of ammunition to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including more than 5,000 AK-47 assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Arriving in Kiev on April 4, these weapons contain enough material to equip a Ukrainian brigade.

CENTCOM stated that this ammunition was taken from four ships intercepted by the US Navy between May 22, 2021 and February 15, 2023. During these operations, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was found to be shipping weapons to the Houthis.

The Growing Houthi Threat and Iran’s Response

Last Wednesday, three sailors were killed in a missile attack by Houthi militants in the Gulf of Aden. This was the first attack by Houthi militants on sailors that resulted in loss of life. The crew was evacuated by the Indian Navy and taken to hospitals in Djibouti.

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations stated in a statement that the weapons and ammunition seized did not belong to Iran and that they could not comment on the issue.

US Support Package for Ukraine and the Political Situation

While the Democratic Party US President Joe Biden’s efforts to provide more support to Kiev continued, the new $ 60 billion security package prepared in this context was blocked in the Republican-dominated House of Representatives.

“The United States will not allow Ukraine to fail,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in light of these developments. This demonstrates the continued US commitment to Ukraine and the importance of the political aspect of the crisis.

Conclusion and Future Projections

This important transfer of ammunition comes at a critical time for Ukraine to take a more active role in the war. The efforts of the United States and its allies to arm Kiev could affect the balance of power in the region and play a decisive role in future military and political developments. Meeting the Ukrainian forces’ need for heavy artillery shells and other strategic ammunition is seen as an important step that will shape both the course of the war and international relations.

This strategic and timely arms aid not only increases Ukraine’s defense capacity but also enables the US to play an effective role in ensuring regional stability by putting pressure on the Iran-Houthi axis. In addition to Ukraine, these developments may open new chapters in global security policies.