Psychological Warfare

An informed source at the Foreign Ministry rejected the claim that the Iranian boat seized by Saudi-led coalition forces in the Gulf of Oman was carrying weapons for Yemen’s Houthi fighters, IRNA reported. “The claim that the fishing boat was carrying arms is a lie and is part of a psychological warfare campaign,” the source said. “The unfounded allegation… does not justify incessant strikes and crimes on a large scale by coalition forces against the Yemeni people and destruction of the Muslim country’s infrastructure.” Saudi-led coalition forces claimed on Wednesday they had seized an Iranian fishing boat loaded with weapons on its way to deliver them to Houthi fighters in Yemen, Reuters reported. The coalition, which also includes Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has been battling the Houthis for more than six months. It aims to restore to power Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government, forced out by the Houthis. A coalition statement claimed 14 Iranian sailors were detained on the boat, which was carrying 18 anti-armored Concourse shells, 54 anti-tank shells, shell-battery kits, firing guidance systems, launchers and batteries for binoculars. “The Command of the Coalition... foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons destined to Houthi militias, on an Iranian fishing boat,” the statement said, adding the vessel was seized on Saturday some 150 miles off Salalah in southern Oman.