Last year, the United States provided Ukraine with over a million rounds of ammunition that had been seized from Iran. This transfer of weapons happened as a result of a legal case pursued by the justice department in order to claim ownership. The bullets were confiscated when they were being smuggled to the Yemeni Houthi forces, violating a UN arms embargo.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland explained on Wednesday that by transferring these weapons, the justice department’s actions against one oppressive regime are now directly aiding the Ukrainian people in their struggle against another oppressive regime. He further emphasized the commitment to utilize all available legal means to support Ukraine in their pursuit of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
The Department of Justice is also asserting its right to take possession of the firearms that were confiscated from other caches. These include a staggering 9,000 assault rifles, 284 machine guns, approximately 194 rocket launchers, and over 70 anti-tank guided missiles.
On December 9, 2022, the US Central Command’s naval vessels apprehended the Marwan1, an unaffiliated vessel, and seized 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds. Additionally, thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades were discovered among the cargo.
According to the US, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard dispatched these munitions to support their Houthi allies in the Yemeni civil war. Since then, the weaponry has been safely stored in the Middle East. In March, the US initiated legal proceedings to claim ownership of the seized goods. The court ruled in favor of the US, granting them ownership on July 20th.
The timing of transferring seized Iranian weapons to Ukraine has raised concerns among Western defense ministries. They are worried about their ability to support Kyiv with arms amidst Russia’s relentless war of attrition.
Adm Rob Bauer, the Dutch chair of the Nato military committee and the alliance’s highest-ranking military official, expressed his unease at a conference in Warsaw. He bluntly remarked, “We’re reaching the bottom of the barrel.”
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