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, targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, allegedly in support of Gazans. Iran has consistently denied arming the Houthis. The components found on Pahlawan's boat were described by US federal prosecutors as 'some of the most sophisticated weapon systems that Iran proliferates'. Pahlawan was sentenced after being convicted on five counts, including terrorism offenses. Court documents revealed that of the five counts, two sentences will run concurrently for 20 years, and the remaining three will add another 20 years, totaling 40 years.
The crew's testimonies provided insights into the operation that supported the Houthi's attacks. During his sentencing, Pahlawan communicated with his wife about fears for his safety, referring to himself as a 'walking dead person' before his final trip.
His crew, unaware of the lethal cargo they were transporting, described being threatened by Pahlawan, who had a history of successful smuggling missions prior to his arrest. The incident adds to the ongoing tension regarding Iran's alleged support for armed groups in the region, impacting global shipping routes and raising awareness of the complexities behind maritime smuggling.
The Houthis had launched sustained missile and drone attacks on Israel at the time, targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, allegedly in support of Gazans. Iran has consistently denied arming the Houthis. The components found on Pahlawan's boat were described by US federal prosecutors as 'some of the most sophisticated weapon systems that Iran proliferates'. Pahlawan was sentenced after being convicted on five counts, including terrorism offenses. Court documents revealed that of the five counts, two sentences will run concurrently for 20 years, and the remaining three will add another 20 years, totaling 40 years.
The crew's testimonies provided insights into the operation that supported the Houthi's attacks. During his sentencing, Pahlawan communicated with his wife about fears for his safety, referring to himself as a 'walking dead person' before his final trip.
His crew, unaware of the lethal cargo they were transporting, described being threatened by Pahlawan, who had a history of successful smuggling missions prior to his arrest. The incident adds to the ongoing tension regarding Iran's alleged support for armed groups in the region, impacting global shipping routes and raising awareness of the complexities behind maritime smuggling.
