Ukraine conflict: US gives 1.1 million rounds of ammunition taken in Iran to Kyiv

According to reports, US Navy forces initially confiscated these arms on 9 December from an unknown vessel known as “MARWAN 1.”

In July, the US government acquired ownership over these assets through civil forfeiture proceedings – an action wherein assets may be confiscated should their owners have been suspected of criminal activities.

In this case, litigation was filed against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; an arm of Iran’s military that is charged with protecting its government.

Centcom released a statement declaring its dedication to working together with allies and partners “in order to stop Iranian efforts at providing deadly aid into the region using all legal avenues”.

Iran has traditionally supported Yemen’s Houthi rebels during their civil war; however, the transfer of weapons is banned under a UN Security Council resolution adopted in 2015.

Beginning in 2014, Yemenis faced their greatest crisis to date when Houthi rebels took over Sanaa as the country’s capital city and overthrew its administration.

Yemen remains internationally recognized under a Saudi-led alliance supported by both the US and UK, even after being overthrown.

Iran was accused of providing Russia with weapons – most specifically drones – during Ukraine’s ongoing conflict.

On Monday during a debate at the Warsaw Security Forum over Western countries supplying ammunition to Ukraine, Adm Rob Bauer, chair of NATO’s Military Committee stated that its supply can “be seen”.

Lack of investment over decades led to Nato countries beginning the conflict with ammunition stocks half full or almost completely empty.

“Our just-in-time, just-enough economic system created in the past 30 years of liberal economies can be utilized for various uses; however, not military forces if an ongoing war exists,” according to him.