13.12.2025 19:35
It has been revealed that the U.S. military conducted a raid in November on a ship carrying military supplies from China to Iran, located several hundred miles off the coast of Sri Lanka. American officials stated that the cargo on the ship potentially consisted of components that could be used for Iran's conventional weapons, and the shipment was destroyed.
It has emerged that the U.S. military conducted a raid in November on a cargo ship transporting military materials from China to Iran, located several hundred miles off the coast of Sri Lanka.
According to a report by the U.S.-based Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing American officials, the U.S. carried out an operation in the Indian Ocean in November to prevent Iran from rebuilding its military capabilities.
RAID ON SHIP HEADING FROM CHINA TO IRAN
According to officials, during the operation conducted several hundred miles off the coast of Sri Lanka, the American special operations team that raided the ship allowed it to continue its journey after seizing its cargo. U.S. officials and a source familiar with the operation reported that the U.S. had been tracking this shipment in advance.
"SHIPMENT DESTROYED"
The name of the ship and the identity of its owner were not disclosed. American officials stated that the cargo carried by the ship consisted of items that could potentially be used for Iran's conventional weapons and that the shipment was destroyed. One official noted that the seized materials were dual-use items suitable for both military and civilian applications.
The official stated that the raid operation included not only special operations elements but also conventional forces. According to another official and a source familiar with the operation, the U.S. had intelligence indicating that the shipment was destined for Iranian companies specializing in supplying components for Iran's missile program.
NO STATEMENT FROM IRAN AND CHINA
The operation took place during a period when the United Nations (UN) reinstated the international ban on arms trade with Iran at the end of September. No statements regarding the operation were made by the foreign ministries of Iran and China. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which conducted the operation, also did not release a statement regarding the operation.
In recent years, the U.S. has seized numerous weapons and oil shipments belonging to Iran. In January 2024, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) seized Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missile components that were being sent to the Houthis in Yemen off the coast of Somalia. The U.S. also seized Iranian oil shipments in 2020 and 2023, citing that they benefited the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
U.S. HAD SEIZED A TANKER OFF VENEZUELA
The operation, which took place weeks before the U.S. seized a tanker transporting oil from Venezuela to Iran off the coast of Venezuela on December 10, led to claims that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had resorted to previously rare aggressive tactics at sea. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, stating, "Beijing opposes unilateral illegal sanctions that are not based on international law or the authorization of the UN Security Council, as well as the abuse of long-arm jurisdiction and sanctions."