Iranian military activity in the skies and waters of the Arabian Sea has actually increased since the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers was signed in mid-July, according to the U.S. military.
CNN reports that five Iranian boats fired at Alpine Eternity, a Singapore cargo ship, in the Persian Gulf. It is the second time Iran has accosted a foreign ship in the gulf in the past month.
(Reuters) – At least five merchant vessels carrying food are stuck off Yemen, shipping data showed on Wednesday, as warships from a Saudi-led coalition search them for weapons bound for Iran-allied Houthi rebel forces, with delays adding to a humanitarian crisis.
CNN just revealed an Iranian aircraft flew near a US Navy helicopter over the Persian Gulf in March. Officials believe incidents like this could lead to larger clashes.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a multinational coalition consisting of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates has warned it may intervene militarily in Yemen to depose the Shiite Houthi revolutionary government if the United Nations Security Council does not properly react to the threat.
Iranian control of Yemen gives the Mullahs the option of cutting off the sea lanes connecting the Mediterranean to the Indian Oceans. This is a very real threat, as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels consolidate control over Yemen. Most of the West’s oil and most of Western trade with the Far East depends on these sea lanes.