A weapons smuggler who used a fishing boat to ship ballistic missile parts from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen has been sentenced to 40 years in a US prison.
Pakistani national Muhammad Pahlawan was detained during a US military operation in the Arabian Sea in January 2024 - during which two US Navy Seals drowned.
Pahlawan's crew testified they had been duped into taking part, having believed they were working as fishermen.
The Houthis had launched sustained missile and drone attacks on Israel at the time, and targeted international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming they were acting in support of Gazans, while Iran denied arming the Houthis.
The crew's testimonies provide a rare look inside a smuggling operation that helped power the attacks.
The components found on Pahlawan's boat were described as some of the most sophisticated weapon systems that Iran proliferates to other terrorist groups by US federal prosecutors post-trial.
Convicted on five counts, including terrorism offenses and transporting weapons of mass destruction, Pahlawan, 49, was sentenced Thursday. His actual prison time amounts to 40 years when counting concurrent and consecutive terms.
'Walking dead person'
The eight crew members testified they had no idea what was inside the large packages on board the Yunus.
One crew member said that when he questioned Pahlawan about it, he was met with disdain.
Pahlawan himself, aware of the cargo's dangerous nature, referred to himself in text messages as a walking dead person. He expressed concern to his wife in the days prior to the ill-fated voyage.
Yet, he downplayed the risks, saying Such is the nature of the job.
Pahlawan was paid hefty sums for his smuggling efforts, which were coordinated by two Iranian brothers affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, further heightening the offense's gravity.
Pahlawan successfully completed two smuggling voyages before his capture, during which he recruited men seeking work from Pakistan.
US Navy efforts to intercept his boat led to tragedy as two SEALs drowned in a chaotic boarding attempt. Their bodies were never recovered, marking a somber end to the operation.
Pahlawan's smuggling routes conform to established methodologies used in arms trafficking, moving weapons from Iran to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. This event adds to the ongoing concerns over regional security and the use of advanced weaponry in the civil conflict.
Prosecutors underscored the severe implications of Pahlawan's actions, asserting he was a seasoned smuggler fully aware of the destructive potential of his cargo. The court deemed the high sentence appropriate due to his significant threats to global security.
