U.S. ships 1.1M seized Iranian munitions to Ukraine.
U.S. Transfers Over a Million Seized Iranian Rounds of Ammunition to Ukrainian Armed Forces
In a bold move, U.S. officials have transferred more than a million seized and forfeited Iranian rounds of ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. This comes at a crucial time as the Pentagon warns that funding to support Kyiv in its ongoing war with Russia is running dangerously low.
“The U.S. is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including U.S. and U.N. sanctions and through interdictions,” U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) officials said in a news release.
The transfer includes approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds that were obtained over the summer through the Department of Justice’s civil forfeiture claims against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Last year, naval forces with CENTCOM seized these munitions, which were reportedly intended for the Houthis in Yemen. The United States accused the group of violating a United Nations Security Council resolution that imposed sanctions on rebel groups undermining Yemen’s stability. These rounds, capable of being fired from AK-47 rifles, were intercepted during the transfer.
The Biden administration has been exploring legal options to send these seized weapons to Ukrainian forces, as reported by CNN.
According to CNN, the U.S. Navy has previously seized thousands of Iranian rifles and over a million rounds of ammunition from fishing vessels used for weapon transfers to Yemen. In January, U.S. forces confiscated approximately 3,000 rifles and 23 anti-tank guided missiles.
Over the years, naval forces have confiscated various weapons, including missiles, drones, explosives, and rocket fuel, from dhows and speedboats involved in smuggling Iranian arms.
Concerns Over Funding for Ukraine’s Defense
This recent transfer of ammunition comes at a time when congressional leaders have withheld additional aid to Kyiv, raising concerns about the availability of funds to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s winter offensive.
The Pentagon told House and Senate leaders in a letter of concern last week that funding to support Ukraine’s critical and urgent defense needs to prepare for Russia’s winter offensive continues to decline.
Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord expressed his worries in the letter, stating that out of the $25.9 billion allocated for weapons funding for Ukrainian forces, only $1.6 billion remains. Additionally, there is approximately $5.4 billion left to supply weapons and equipment from existing stockpiles.
McCord emphasized the importance of timely replenishment, as failure to do so could harm the military’s readiness. He revealed that the Pentagon has already been forced to slow down the replenishment of its own forces due to uncertain funding.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that the financial support for Ukraine will soon run out if Congress does not authorize additional funding.
“We have enough funding authorities to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs for just a little bit longer, but we need Congress to act to ensure there is no disruption in our support,” Singh said.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with over $44 billion in security assistance to address critical security and defense needs. President Joe Biden has requested an additional $24 billion package from Congress to support Ukraine’s military aid and provide economic, humanitarian, and security assistance to other countries affected by the war.
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What role does the interception of Iranian weapons by U.S. naval forces play in countering the flow of lethal aid in the region and maintaining stability?
To support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The Pentagon has issued warnings that the current funding is running dangerously low, and this transfer of ammunition is seen as a crucial step to provide much-needed support to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has been a matter of concern for the international community. Ukraine has been fighting against Russian-backed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and a significant humanitarian crisis.
The United States has been a key ally of Ukraine in its efforts to counter Russian aggression. In addition to providing financial and military assistance, the U.S. has also imposed sanctions on Russia to deter further aggression. However, the recent lack of additional aid from Congress has raised doubts about the availability of sufficient resources to support Ukraine’s defense.
The transfer of over a million seized Iranian rounds of ammunition is therefore seen as a significant development in the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. These rounds, obtained through civil forfeiture claims against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were originally intended for the Houthis in Yemen. Intercepted by the U.S. naval forces, they have now been redirected to benefit Ukraine.
The Biden administration’s exploration of legal options to send these seized weapons to Ukraine demonstrates a strong commitment to the country’s defense. The administration has recognized the importance of countering the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region, and this transfer is a tangible manifestation of that commitment.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time the U.S. has intercepted Iranian weapons intended for illicit purposes. Naval forces have previously seized rifles, ammunition, missiles, drones, explosives, and rocket fuel from smuggling operations involving Iranian arms. These efforts have been crucial in preventing the proliferation of weapons and maintaining stability in the region.
Despite the transfer of ammunition, concerns about funding for Ukraine’s defense persist. The Ukrainian armed forces are in urgent need of financial support to replenish their resources and continue their fight against Russian-backed separatists. It is crucial that Congress addresses these concerns and provides the necessary funds to ensure Ukraine’s defense capabilities are not compromised.
In conclusion, the transfer of over a million seized Iranian rounds of ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It showcases the U.S.’s commitment to countering the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region and supporting its allies in their defense efforts. However, concerns about funding for Ukraine’s defense remain, and it is imperative that Congress addresses these concerns to ensure Ukraine has the necessary resources to protect its sovereignty.
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