Navy seizes cache of anti-tank missiles from Iran smugglers in high speed chase
![HMS Lancaster Royal Marines Boarding Team remove seized weapons from the vessel (Image: UK MOD Crown copyright)](/upload/news/2023/03/03/23770.jpg)
The Royal Navy seized a cache of anti-tank missiles from Iranian smugglers in a daring dawn raid.
A US drone spotted the rogue vessel in the Gulf of Oman, heading at high speed under cover of darkness towards civil-war-ravaged Yemen.
The Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster gave chase and scrambled its helicopter to track the vessel darting through international waters.
The two-man skiff refused demands to heave-to and headed back towards Iranian waters.
So Marines from 42 Commando took to the Lancaster’s high-speed sea boats to intercept the smugglers.
![Boy, 10, saw neighbours swept to deaths in UK's worst storm that killed hundreds eiqrrirkiqutinv](/upload/news/2023/02/01/358_m.jpg)
When they boarded the vessel they found prohibited anti-tank guided missiles and medium-range ballistic missile parts hidden beneath tarpaulins.
![Navy seizes cache of anti-tank missiles from Iran smugglers in high speed chase](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29369536.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_ROYAL-NAVY-SHIP-SEIZES-WEAPONS-TRANSITING-IN-THE-GULF.jpg)
Lancaster’s commanding officer, Cmdr Paul Irving, said: “Everyone was really excited. What a great day it was for us and what a huge team effort.”
The UN has embargoed weapons to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Bomb disposal experts checked the haul to ensure it was safe to take aboard the Lancaster.
It included Iranian versions of Russia’s 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missile.
The UN has been informed and will carry out its own inspection.
![Navy seizes cache of anti-tank missiles from Iran smugglers in high speed chase](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29369538.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_News.jpg)
One of the Navy coxswains charged with manoeuvring Lancaster’s sea boats into position for the Marines to board the smugglers, said: “It was a great buzz when the captain gave the green light.”
Another added: “The best part was chasing down the vessel and getting eyes on the packages strapped down in the skiff.”
Cmdr Irving said: “The fact we found weapons we believe were heading to Yemen is significant. We think they have previously been used to strike locations in the Gulf.
![Navy seizes cache of anti-tank missiles from Iran smugglers in high speed chase](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29369877.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_ROYAL-NAVY-SHIP-SEIZES-WEAPONS-TRANSITING-IN-THE-GULF.jpg)
“It was a genuine team effort and they got a result they can tell their family and friends about. It’s an important result.”
The war in Yemen has spawned one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
![Royal Navy sailors rushed to hospital after drinking contaminated water on ship](/upload/news/2023/02/03/1229_m.jpg)
More than 150,000 have died in the fighting, including 14,500 civilians.
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