An Iranian convoy of
freighters, escorted by warships from the Iranian military and
Revolutionary Guard forces, appears headed for Yemen, the officials
said.
They emphasized that
while the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group would be in position to
intercept the convoy, an intercept could also be carried out by Saudi
Arabia, Egypt or the United Arab Emirates, which are patrolling the
waters off Yemen.
Supported by the United
States, Saudi Arabia has led Sunni Arab countries in carrying out more
than three weeks of airstrikes targeting the rebels, who are backed by
Iran and have seized parts of Yemen.
There is no indication
that U.S. or other coalition warships have been in contact with the
Iranians, but one official told NBC News, "They know we're there."
Some U.S. officials are
concerned that the leak of the information is not good, coming at the
same time as the United States and other countries try to reach a final
agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
"Since this is now
public, the Iranians may feel they've been backed into a corner" and
attempt to run through any blockade set up by the coalition warships,
one official said.
The deployment comes
after a U.N. Security Council resolution approved last week imposed an
arms embargo on leaders of the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels, who
have taken over much of Yemen.
The resolution passed in
a 14-0 vote with Russia abstaining. Navy officials said Monday that the
Roosevelt was moving through the Arabian Sea. A massive ship that
carries F/A-18 fighter jets, the "TR" is seen more of a deterrent and
show of force in the region.
White House spokesman
Josh Earnest would not comment specifically on any Navy movements in
Yemeni waters, but said the U.S. has concerns about Iran's "continued
support for the Houthis.
"We have seen evidence
that the Iranians are supplying weapons and other armed support to the
Houthis in Yemen," Earnest said Monday. "That support will only
contribute to greater violence in that country. These are exactly the
kind of destabilizing activities that we have in mind when we raise
concerns about Iran's destabilizing activities in the Middle East."
He added, "Iranians are
acutely aware of our concerns for their continued support of the Houthis
by sending them large shipments of weapons."
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