A British warship has seized a deadly haul of hundreds of cruise missile components and ready-to-fire surface-to-air weapons being smuggled out of Iran.
The multi-million-pound seizure is the biggest weapons haul by the Royal Navy in modern times and a huge blow to the state-sponsored illegal Iranian arms trade.
British, American and European intelligence agencies are trying to work out where the missiles were headed and also looking for terror links to the haul.
If the surface-to-air missiles were heading for a terror group the latest maritime seizure is highly alarming as it could kill thousands of passenger flight passengers.
HMS Montrose commanders launched the dramatic high-seas mission after spotting a number of suspicious speedboats operating off the coast of southern Iran.
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Armed UK commandos from the Royal Marines then stormed the small boats on high-speed boats launched from Type 23 Frigate HMS Montrose.
It happened earlier this year and has only just been revealed because international intelligence agencies were analysing the development.
All of the seized weapons were brought back to the UK for inspection by weapons and intelligence experts.
The weapons seized included surface-to-air missiles and engines for land-attack cruise missiles, breaking UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015).
The seizures, which occurred on January 28 and February 25, took place in the early hours of the morning.
HMS Montrose’s Wildcat Helicopter equipped with state-of-the-art radar systems was scanning for vessels smuggling illicit goods, such as drugs.
The helicopter crew spotted small vessels moving at speed away from the Iranian coast.
During the February mission, the United States Navy destroyer USS Gridley supported efforts by deploying a Seahawk helicopter to provide critical overwatch during the operation.
On both occasions, the Wildcat helicopter pursued the vessels and reported back to HMS Montrose that they could see suspicious cargo on deck.
A team of Royal Marines stormed the vessels on two Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats - RHIB- before securing and searching the vessel.
Dozens of packages containing advanced weaponry were discovered, confiscated and brought back to HMS Montrose.
Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said: “The UK is committed to upholding international law, from standing up to aggression in Europe to interdicting illegal shipments of weaponry that perpetuates instability in the Middle East.
“The UK will continue to work in support of an enduring peace in Yemen and is committed to international maritime security so that commercial shipping can transit safely without the threat of disruption.”
The seized packages included multiple rocket engines for the Iranian-produced 351 land-attack cruise missiles and a batch of actual 358 surface-to-air missiles.
The 351 is a cruise missile with a range of around 800 miles and is regularly used by Houthi rebels to strike targets in Saudi Arabia and was also the type of weapon used to attack Abu Dhabi on 17th January 2022, which killed three civilians.
Commanding Officer of HMS Montrose, Commander Claire Thompson, said: “These interdictions demonstrate the professionalism and commitment of the Royal Navy to promoting stability in this region.
“I am extremely proud of my crew – the Royal Navy sailors, aircrew and Royal Marines involved in these endeavours and the significant positive impact they are having in maintaining the international rules-based order at sea.”
