Foreign Nationals Face Charges for Transporting Iranian-Made Weapons Intercepted by U.S. Navy SEALs
In a dramatic turn of events, four foreign nationals have been brought to the United States to face criminal charges for allegedly transporting Iranian-made weapons on a vessel intercepted by U.S. Navy SEALs. The defendants, identified as Muhammad Pahlawan, Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah, and Izhar Muhammad, made their first appearance in court on Thursday.
The incident took place on January 11 when a U.S. Navy ship intercepted a small boat, known as a dhow, in the Arabian Sea. A team of SEALs from the USS Lewis Puller and a U.S. Coast Guard response team conducted a nighttime raid on the unflagged boat, seizing what is believed to be Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. The vessel was allegedly destined for Yemen, where Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military vessels.
Tragically, two Navy SEALs lost their lives during the mission. Special Warfare Operators Christopher Chambers and Nathan Ingram fell overboard in rough seas while attempting to board the dhow. After an extensive 10-day search, the military declared them deceased. However, none of the defendants have been charged directly with their deaths.
The seized weapons components included propulsion and guidance systems for medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as a warhead. According to investigators, these weapons were likely intended for Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been escalating their attacks on commercial shipping and international warships in recent months.
During their court appearance, all crew members denied smuggling the weapons, although some admitted to being involved in drug smuggling. Witnesses identified Muhammad Pahlawan as the leader of the group. Pahlawan claimed that he had been in Iran for two years and that the ship departed from Iran six days before its interception by the Navy. He also revealed that the ship’s Iranian owner had provided him with a satellite phone for communication while at sea. Investigators discovered that this phone had received calls from a number associated with a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Further investigations revealed that the ship had originated in Iran and made a stop in Somalia, following a route consistent with other weapons smuggling operations. The FBI and NCIS interviewed Pahlawan twice, during which he denied being the captain of the boat or having knowledge of the weaponry. However, he admitted to being the senior sailor onboard.
According to charging documents, two crew members stated that Pahlawan instructed them not to stop the boat while the Navy was approaching the dhow. Additionally, multiple crew members claimed that it was another crew member, not Pahlawan, who stopped the boat. The other three defendants also denied any knowledge of the weapons on board and are charged with providing false information to investigators.
Prosecutors argue that Pahlawan knew the weaponry would be used by the Houthi rebels against American and/or Israeli targets or interests. This claim is supported by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has led to increased attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea. If convicted, Pahlawan could face up to 20 years in prison.
The four defendants and eight witnesses who were aboard the small boat made their initial appearances in federal court in Virginia. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his condolences for the two Navy SEALs who lost their lives during the operation. He emphasized that the Justice Department will use every legal authority to hold accountable those who facilitate the flow of weapons from Iran to groups that endanger the security of the United States and its allies.
The Houthi rebels have continued their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, with at least 60 incidents reported since November 2023. In response, the U.S. military has conducted approximately 30 defensive strikes targeting the Houthis, according to the Pentagon.
This recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of international efforts to prevent the smuggling of weapons and maintain maritime security in the region. As investigations continue, the world watches to see how justice will be served and what impact it will have on the complex dynamics of the region.
