"The Wall Street Journal": U.S. Forces Raided a Ship on Its Way from China to Iran

SadaNews - American media revealed on Friday evening that U.S. special forces intercepted a cargo ship in the Indian Ocean last month that was heading from China to Iran, seizing a cargo reportedly designated for use in Iran's military industry, including its missile program.

The "Wall Street Journal" reported, citing American officials, that "a group of U.S. special operations forces boarded the ship in the Indian Ocean last month and seized military-related materials that were on their way from China to Iran."

The newspaper added that the U.S. forces boarded the vessel hundreds of miles off the coast of Sri Lanka, clarifying that the ship was later allowed to continue its journey.

According to the "Wall Street Journal," this is the first time in years that it is known that the U.S. military has intercepted a shipment of Chinese origin heading to Iran.

The name of the ship or its owner was not disclosed.

A source stated that the seized cargo had dual uses, both civilian and military. Another official, according to the newspaper, indicated that the U.S. had gathered intelligence suggesting that the cargo was destined for Iranian companies specializing in supplying components for its missile program.

The newspaper adds that this is the first time in years that the U.S. military's interception of a Chinese-origin shipment heading to Iran has been revealed. The publication could not ascertain the name of the ship or its owner.