The United States transferred confiscated small arms to Ukraine

9 April, 2024 Iranian small arms that were being transported to Yemen were confiscated. Photo credits: CENTCOM The United States transferred confiscated Iranian small arms and ammunition to the Ukrainian military.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the weapons were delivered on April 4. On April 4, the U.S. government transferred more than 5,000 assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, and anti-tank grenade launchers.

The transfer also included more than 500,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. "This constitutes enough material to equip one Ukrainian brigade with small arms rifles. These weapons will help Ukraine defend against Russia's invasion," CENTCOM stated.

The government obtained ownership of these munitions on December 1, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

A ship with weapons intercepted in the Gulf of Oman. January 15, 2023. Photo credits: US Navy

The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.

The US military managed to intercept them when they were secretly transported on civilian ships. "CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means," U.S. Central Command said.

This is not the first time that the U.S. government has transferred confiscated weapons and ammunition to the Ukrainian military.

A ship with weapons intercepted in the Gulf of Oman. January 15, 2023. Photo credits: US Navy

In October 2023, the United States transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Previously, it was unclear how the transfer of weapons would be legally formalized, as the UN requires that captured weapons be destroyed or stored.

For several months, Biden's administration has been thinking about how to legally transfer weapons stored at CENTCOM facilities across the Middle East to Ukraine.