A weapons smuggler who used a fishing boat to ship ballistic missile parts from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen has been sentenced to 40 years in a US prison.
Pakistani national Muhammad Pahlawan was detained during a US military operation in the Arabian Sea in January 2024 - during which two US Navy Seals drowned.
Pahlawan's crew testified they had been duped into taking part, having believed they were working as fishermen.
The Houthis had launched sustained missile and drone attacks on Israel at the time, and targeted international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming to support Gazans. Iran has consistently denied arming the Houthis.
The crew's detailed testimonies to a court in Virginia provide a rare look inside a smuggling operation that aided the attacks, describing the sophisticated weapon systems found on board Pahlawan's fishing vessel.
The components representing significant firepower came from a network allegedly coordinated by Iranian nationals affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.
Pahlawan was sentenced after being convicted on multiple charges, including providing material support to terrorism, as the nature of the crimes became apparent throughout the trial.
The court revealed he was paid substantially for the smugglings, indicating high financial stakes in the operation.
Pahlawan's case exemplifies the ongoing challenges of arms trafficking in conflict zones, with significant implications for regional security and international shipping routes.
William Freer from the Council on Geostrategy pointed out that the discovery has prompted shipping companies to reroute around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the Red Sea, increasing costs and travel times significantly.
