Current:Home > InvestIranian brothers charged in alleged smuggling operation that led to deaths of 2 Navy SEALs -Wealth Evolution Experts
Iranian brothers charged in alleged smuggling operation that led to deaths of 2 Navy SEALs
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:28:01
Two men linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard are now facing terrorism charges in the U.S. in connection with the interception of a vessel in the Arabian Sea that resulted in the deaths of two Navy SEALs earlier this year.
The new indictment announced Thursday by federal prosecutors in Richmond, Virginia, charges two Iranian brothers, Shahab Mir’kazei and Yunus Mir’kazei, as well as a Pakistani boat captain, Muhammad Pahlawan, with providing material support to Iran’s weapons-of-mass-destruction program, among other charges.
The brothers are at large. Pahlawan and three of his crew members have been in custody since the Navy SEAL team intercepted their small vessel, described as a dhow, in January.
While boarding the dhow, U.S. officials say Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers fell overboard as high waves created a gap between the two boats.
As Chambers fell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped in to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with what happened.
Both Chambers and Ingram were declared dead after an 11-day search failed to find either man.
The search of the dhow turned up a variety of Iranian-made weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missile components, according to court documents.
U.S. officials say the dhow was part of an effort to supply weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen, and that Houthis have stepped up attacks on merchant ships and U.S. military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Houthis have been designated as a terrorist group by the State Department since February, according to the indictment. The Revolutionary Guard Corps has been designated a terrorist group by the State Department since 2019.
The new indictment contains additional details linking the dhow to Iran. It alleges the two brothers who work for the Revolutionary Guard Corps paid Pahlawan 1.7 billion rials — about $40,000 in U.S. dollars — to carry out multiple smuggling operations from Iran to the Somali coast near Yemen.
The federal public defender’s office, which was appointed to represent Pahlawan, declined comment Thursday. The two Iranians, who are not in custody, do not have attorneys listed. Arrest warrants for both brothers were issued Wednesday.
veryGood! (82)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Bid to overhaul New Mexico oil and gas regulations clears first hurdle amid litigation
- Family of Ricky Cobb II says justice is within reach following Minnesota trooper’s murder charge
- Southern Indiana man gets 55 years in woman’s decapitation slaying
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Clark-mania? A look at how much Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark's fans spend and travel
- Sofia Richie Grainge announces first pregnancy with husband Elliot
- ‘In the Summers’ and ‘Porcelain War’ win top prizes at Sundance Film Festival
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Harry Connick Sr., longtime New Orleans district attorney and singer’s dad, dies at 97
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Kentucky Democratic Party leader stepping down to take new role in Gov. Beshear’s administration
- Alabama execution using nitrogen gas, the first ever, again puts US at front of death penalty debate
- Stop lying to your children about death. Why you need to tell them the truth.
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Leader of Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland says deal with Ethiopia will allow it to build a naval base
- CIA Director William Burns to travel to Europe for fourth round of Gaza hostage talks
- Winter Skincare From Kiehl's, Peter Thomas Roth & More That'll Bless Your Dry Skin From Head to Toe
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Georgia senators vote for board to oversee secretary of state despite constitutional questions
Former Spain soccer president Luis Rubiales facing trial for unwanted kiss at Women's World Cup
China doubles down on moves to mend its economy and fend off a financial crisis
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Tumbling Chinese stocks and rapid Chipotle hiring
Biden delays consideration of new natural gas export terminals. Democrat cites risk to the climate
Taylor Swift AI-generated explicit photos just tip of iceberg for threat of deepfakes