A recent court hearing in San Diego shed light on the involvement of a US Navy sailor's mother in his alleged espionage activities involving China. The sailor, Jinchao Wei, is accused of sharing sensitive military information with Chinese authorities. This development comes as prosecutors strive to prevent his release.

Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard presented the case, asserting that Wei's mother had actively encouraged her son to cooperate with a Chinese intelligence officer. She allegedly believed that this cooperation could potentially secure a future job within the Chinese government for Wei.

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Wei is one of two sailors based in California facing charges for passing sensitive military data to China. The information allegedly shared encompassed details about wartime drills, naval operations, and critical technical specifications. The prosecutors did not identify the woman involved in court.

<h2>Legal basis and denial of charges</h2>

The charges brought against Wei are grounded in the Espionage Act, a statute that criminalises the acquisition and delivery of information intended to aid foreign governments. Both accused sailors, including Wei, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Wei, who was born in China, was initially approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022, while he was in the process of applying for US citizenship. During this interaction, Wei confessed to the officer that his cooperation might affect his citizenship application.

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Despite this, he continued to provide the Chinese intelligence officer with detailed information regarding weaponry, aircraft, and amphibious assault ships.

<h2>Mother's encouragement</h2>

The prosecutor argued that when Wei visited his mother in Wisconsin for Christmas, she was fully aware of his arrangement with the Chinese intelligence officer. Shockingly, she even encouraged him to persist in his cooperation, suggesting that it could open up future employment opportunities within China's Communist party after his service in the US Navy.

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The court proceedings revealed that the intelligence officer proposed flying Wei and his mother to China for an in-person meeting. Additionally, Wei was advised to purchase a computer and phone to facilitate the exchange of information. If Wei provided receipts for these purchases, the Chinese government committed to reimbursing him for the expenses incurred, reports said.&nbsp;

<h2>Legal battle&nbsp;</h2>

Defence attorney Jason Conforti contended that Wei posed no threat to the community and no longer had access to sensitive military data. On the contrary, the prosecution argued that Wei's actions jeopardised the safety of thousands of sailors by revealing classified information about navy ships. Ultimately, the judge decided to keep Wei in federal custody without bond.

<h2>Indictment and monetary gain</h2>

The indictment outlines that Wei allegedly shared around 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data related to navy ships. The accusation also suggests that he made a substantial amount of money, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, from his cooperation with the Chinese intelligence officer over the past year.

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A recent court hearing in San Diego shed light on the involvement of a US Navy sailor's mother in his alleged espionage activities involving China. The sailor, Jinchao Wei, is accused of sharing sensitive military information with Chinese authorities.

A recent court hearing in San Diego shed light on the involvement of a US Navy sailor's mother in his alleged espionage activities involving China. The sailor, Jinchao Wei, is accused of sharing sensitive military information with Chinese authorities. This development comes as prosecutors strive to prevent his release. Assistant US Attorney Fred Sheppard presented the case, asserting that Wei's mother had actively encouraged her son to cooperate with a Chinese intelligence officer. She allegedly believed that this cooperation could potentially secure a future job within the Chinese government for Wei. Also Read | Wagner reaping benefits from instability in Niger, says US State Secretary Antony Blinken Wei is one of two sailors based in California facing charges for passing sensitive military data to China. The information allegedly shared encompassed details about wartime drills, naval operations, and critical technical specifications. The prosecutors did not identify the woman involved in court. Legal basis and denial of charges The charges brought against Wei are grounded in the Espionage Act, a statute that criminalises the acquisition and delivery of information intended to aid foreign governments. Both accused sailors, including Wei, have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Wei, who was born in China, was initially approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022, while he was in the process of applying for US citizenship. During this interaction, Wei confessed to the officer that his cooperation might affect his citizenship application. Also Read | Man gets furious and locks ex-colleagues at former workplace after being fired from job Despite this, he continued to provide the Chinese intelligence officer with detailed information regarding weaponry, aircraft, and amphibious assault ships. Mother's encouragement The prosecutor argued that when Wei visited his mother in Wisconsin for Christmas, she was fully aware of his arrangement with the Chinese intelligence officer. Shockingly, she even encouraged him to persist in his cooperation, suggesting that it could open up future employment opportunities within China's Communist party after his service in the US Navy. Watch | Nepal initiates investigation against former Prime Ministers × The court proceedings revealed that the intelligence officer proposed flying Wei and his mother to China for an in-person meeting. Additionally, Wei was advised to purchase a computer and phone to facilitate the exchange of information. If Wei provided receipts for these purchases, the Chinese government committed to reimbursing him for the expenses incurred, reports said. Legal battle Defence attorney Jason Conforti contended that Wei posed no threat to the community and no longer had access to sensitive military data. On the contrary, the prosecution argued that Wei's actions jeopardised the safety of thousands of sailors by revealing classified information about navy ships. Ultimately, the judge decided to keep Wei in federal custody without bond. Indictment and monetary gain The indictment outlines that Wei allegedly shared around 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data related to navy ships. The accusation also suggests that he made a substantial amount of money, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, from his cooperation with the Chinese intelligence officer over the past year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Mother of US Navy sailor held for espionage encouraged him to spy for China

Has China planted moles in the U.S. navy? On Thursday, the U.S. arrested two navy sailors in california for providing sensitive information to China. Who are they? What info did they leak? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Has China planted moles in the U.S. navy?

Two US Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with China.

The sailors— 22-year-old Jinchao Wei and 26-year-old Wenhen Zhao— were arrested on Wednesday (Aug 2), federal officials said on Thursday.

According to officials, they provided sensitive details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material.

While Wei was charged for espionage involving conspiracy to send national defence information to Chinese officials, Zhao was accused of taking bribes in exchange for giving sensitive US military photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer between August 2021 and May this year.

<h2>Sensitive military info ended up in China's hands</h2>

Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen at a press conference in San Diego said the “sensitive military info ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China.”

"There is no bigger, multi-generational threat to the United States than from the government of the People's Republic of China, the PRC, and the Chinese Communist Party," said Stacey Moy, the FBI special agent in charge of the San Diego Field Office.

"The PRC will stop at nothing to attack the United States in its strategic plan to become the world's sole superpower."

However, the officers did not disclose whether there was any connection between the two arrests or if they were in touch with the same Chinese intelligence officer.

According to the Justice Department, Wei came in contact with a Chinese government intelligence officer in February 2022, and provided photographs and videos of the ship he served on.

<h2>Rarely used statute invoked&nbsp;</h2>

The details he provided included technical and mechanical manuals as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise.

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As a result, Wei was charged Espionage Act statute, a rarely used law that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government.

Federal officials allege Wei was paid thousands of dollars for sharing the information.

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The second sailor, Zhao, is accused of sharing information, including operational plans for a US military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Prosecutors say Zhao also surreptitiously recorded information that he handed over, AP news agency reports.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two US Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with China. The sailors— 22-year-old Jinchao Wei and 26-year-old Wenhen Zhao— were arrested on Wednesday (Aug 2), federal officials said on Thursday.

Two US Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with China. The sailors— 22-year-old Jinchao Wei and 26-year-old Wenhen Zhao— were arrested on Wednesday (Aug 2), federal officials said on Thursday. According to officials, they provided sensitive details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material. While Wei was charged for espionage involving conspiracy to send national defence information to Chinese officials, Zhao was accused of taking bribes in exchange for giving sensitive US military photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer between August 2021 and May this year. Sensitive military info ended up in China's hands Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen at a press conference in San Diego said the “sensitive military info ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China.” "There is no bigger, multi-generational threat to the United States than from the government of the People's Republic of China, the PRC, and the Chinese Communist Party," said Stacey Moy, the FBI special agent in charge of the San Diego Field Office. "The PRC will stop at nothing to attack the United States in its strategic plan to become the world's sole superpower." However, the officers did not disclose whether there was any connection between the two arrests or if they were in touch with the same Chinese intelligence officer. According to the Justice Department, Wei came in contact with a Chinese government intelligence officer in February 2022, and provided photographs and videos of the ship he served on. Rarely used statute invoked The details he provided included technical and mechanical manuals as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise. Also read | South Korea: One reported dead, several hurt in stabbing incident near Seoul As a result, Wei was charged Espionage Act statute, a rarely used law that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government. Federal officials allege Wei was paid thousands of dollars for sharing the information. Also read | Russian forces failed to make headway along frontlines, claims Ukraine The second sailor, Zhao, is accused of sharing information, including operational plans for a US military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region. Prosecutors say Zhao also surreptitiously recorded information that he handed over, AP news agency reports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Two US Navy sailors arrested for sharing military secrets with China

The US Navy has a new edition of the latest Special Operation mini-submarine has now officially entered service the submarine can hold two crew and eight Commandos with no need for wetsuits or breathing apparatus.

US Navy deploys first 'dry' mini-subs for covert missions

President Joe Biden made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing his nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti to become the head of the US Navy. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will become the first woman to hold this esteemed position and also serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the US military.

<h2>Admiral Lisa Franchetti's remarkable career</h2>

With an illustrious career spanning 38 years as a commissioned officer, Admiral Franchetti's nomination is a testament to her dedication and exceptional service to the nation. She currently serves as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and holds the prestigious rank of four-star admiral, becoming only the second woman in US Navy history to achieve this distinction, as reported by AFP.

<h2>A trailblazing journey</h2>

Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has commanded various surface vessels, showcasing her leadership prowess. She has held key roles, including commander of a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and two carrier strike groups. Her expertise extends to global affairs, having served as the deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and Africa, as well as the deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development.

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If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will not only make history as the first woman to lead the Navy but will also become the first woman to serve on the esteemed Joint Chiefs of Staff. This milestone marks a significant step towards greater gender equality and representation at the highest levels of the US military.

<h2>Uncertain Senate confirmation amid political obstruction</h2>

While Admiral Mike Gilday's four-year term as head of the Navy is nearing its completion, there is uncertainty surrounding Admiral Franchetti's Senate confirmation. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville's objections to over 200 senior military nominations have created delays in the confirmation process, citing opposition to the Pentagon's assistance to troops seeking reproductive health care in locations where it is not readily available.

<h2>Biden's call for swift confirmation</h2>

In response to the political obstruction, President Biden has criticised Senator Tuberville's actions, emphasising the urgency of approving these nominations. Delaying confirmation poses risks, especially during times of evolving security environments and intense global competition. It threatens the nation's ability to maintain the status of the United States Armed Forces as the world's greatest fighting force.

In the event that Admiral Franchetti is not confirmed before Admiral Gilday's departure, she will still assume the role in her capacity as his deputy. A similar situation has been witnessed in the Marine Corps, where General Eric Smith, the assistant commandant, has been nominated to lead the service but has yet to be confirmed.

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Aside from the Navy, other top military officers are also set to leave their positions in the coming months, including Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. These transitions further highlight the significance of Admiral Franchetti's nomination and the importance of a smooth and efficient confirmation process.

President Biden's nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the potential head of the US Navy marks a historic moment for gender equality and female representation in the US military.

(With inputs from agencies)

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President Joe Biden made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing his nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti to become the head of the US Navy. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will become the first woman to hold this esteemed position and also serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the US military.

President Joe Biden made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing his nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti to become the head of the US Navy. If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will become the first woman to hold this esteemed position and also serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the US military. Admiral Lisa Franchetti's remarkable career With an illustrious career spanning 38 years as a commissioned officer, Admiral Franchetti's nomination is a testament to her dedication and exceptional service to the nation. She currently serves as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and holds the prestigious rank of four-star admiral, becoming only the second woman in US Navy history to achieve this distinction, as reported by AFP. A trailblazing journey Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has commanded various surface vessels, showcasing her leadership prowess. She has held key roles, including commander of a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron, and two carrier strike groups. Her expertise extends to global affairs, having served as the deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and Africa, as well as the deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development. Also read | Donald Trump classified documents case trial set for May 20, months before US prez polls If confirmed, Admiral Franchetti will not only make history as the first woman to lead the Navy but will also become the first woman to serve on the esteemed Joint Chiefs of Staff. This milestone marks a significant step towards greater gender equality and representation at the highest levels of the US military. Uncertain Senate confirmation amid political obstruction While Admiral Mike Gilday's four-year term as head of the Navy is nearing its completion, there is uncertainty surrounding Admiral Franchetti's Senate confirmation. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville's objections to over 200 senior military nominations have created delays in the confirmation process, citing opposition to the Pentagon's assistance to troops seeking reproductive health care in locations where it is not readily available. Biden's call for swift confirmation In response to the political obstruction, President Biden has criticised Senator Tuberville's actions, emphasising the urgency of approving these nominations. Delaying confirmation poses risks, especially during times of evolving security environments and intense global competition. It threatens the nation's ability to maintain the status of the United States Armed Forces as the world's greatest fighting force. In the event that Admiral Franchetti is not confirmed before Admiral Gilday's departure, she will still assume the role in her capacity as his deputy. A similar situation has been witnessed in the Marine Corps, where General Eric Smith, the assistant commandant, has been nominated to lead the service but has yet to be confirmed. Also watch | Blackstone achieves feat amid slowdown in global deals Aside from the Navy, other top military officers are also set to leave their positions in the coming months, including Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. These transitions further highlight the significance of Admiral Franchetti's nomination and the importance of a smooth and efficient confirmation process. President Biden's nomination of Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the potential head of the US Navy marks a historic moment for gender equality and female representation in the US military. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

In a first, President Joe Biden chooses a female admiral to lead US Navy

A recent US Navy briefing slide has drawn attention to the concerning gap between China and the United States in terms of shipbuilding capacity and naval force sizes. The data compiled by the Office of Naval Intelligence reveals that China's shipbuilders are over 200 times more capable than United States in producing surface warships and submarines. This raises concerns about the US Navy's ability to challenge Chinese fleets and maintain its forces in potential high-end conflicts.

<h2>China's shipbuilding capacity</h2>

The slide illustrates the stark difference in shipbuilding capacity between China and the United States. China's shipyards have a capacity of approximately 23.25 million tonnes, while the United States has less than 100,000 tonnes.&nbsp;

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China's shipbuilding capacity is at least 232 times greater than that of the United States. The slide also highlights that China's naval production constitutes over 70 per cent of its overall national shipbuilding revenue, whereas the United States' naval production is estimated to be around 95 per cent.

<h2>Projected battle force sizes</h2>

The briefing slide includes projected battle force sizes for the US Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) between 2020 and 2035.&nbsp;In 2020, the PLAN had 355 battle force ships, while the US Navy had 296. By 2035, the gap is expected to widen significantly, with China projected to have 475 battle force ships compared to the United States' 305 to 317.

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China's People's Liberation Army Navy already is the largest naval fleet globally in terms of total vessels and continues to acquire modern and capable designs, including aircraft carriers.&nbsp;

<h2>Shipyard capacity</h2>

During a US congressional hearing in February, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro expressed concerns about China's shipyard capacity, pointing out the significant threat it poses.&nbsp;

He highlighted that China has 13 shipyards, with some individual shipyards having more capacity than all of the United States' shipyards combined.&nbsp;

This disparity in shipyard capacity has a profound impact on the ability to sustain ships.

The circulating slide now emphasises the importance of shipyard capacity by noting that over 50 dry docks are capable of accommodating an aircraft carrier.&nbsp;

China is actively working to expand its carrier fleets, indicating their focus on developing yards capable of supporting larger surface ships and submarines.&nbsp;

<h2>Challenges faced by the US Navy</h2>

The U.S. Navy recognises the limitations of the slide saying it is not a definitive data set and considers it a living document.&nbsp;

“The slide was developed by the Office of Naval Intelligence from multiple public sources as part of an overall brief on strategic competition," a US Navy spokesperson told The War Zone.

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"The slide provides context and trends on China’s shipbuilding capacity. It is not intended as a deep-dive into the PRC [People's Republic of China's] commercial shipbuilding industry," the spokesperson said adding, "It’s been iterated on over time and the unclassified sources used most recently were commercially-available shipbuilding data, publicly-available U.S. Navy long-range shipbuilding plans from the 2023 Presidential Budget (PB23), and the publicly-discussed approximate projected future PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] force."&nbsp;

The widening gap in naval power between China and the United States raises concerns about the US Navy's ability to challenge Chinese ambitions.

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A recent US Navy briefing slide has drawn attention to the concerning gap between China and the United States in terms of shipbuilding capacity and naval force sizes.

A recent US Navy briefing slide has drawn attention to the concerning gap between China and the United States in terms of shipbuilding capacity and naval force sizes. The data compiled by the Office of Naval Intelligence reveals that China's shipbuilders are over 200 times more capable than United States in producing surface warships and submarines. This raises concerns about the US Navy's ability to challenge Chinese fleets and maintain its forces in potential high-end conflicts. China's shipbuilding capacity The slide illustrates the stark difference in shipbuilding capacity between China and the United States. China's shipyards have a capacity of approximately 23.25 million tonnes, while the United States has less than 100,000 tonnes. Also Read | Alarming warning from WHO: Bird flu poses increased risk of adapting to human China's shipbuilding capacity is at least 232 times greater than that of the United States. The slide also highlights that China's naval production constitutes over 70 per cent of its overall national shipbuilding revenue, whereas the United States' naval production is estimated to be around 95 per cent. Projected battle force sizes The briefing slide includes projected battle force sizes for the US Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) between 2020 and 2035. In 2020, the PLAN had 355 battle force ships, while the US Navy had 296. By 2035, the gap is expected to widen significantly, with China projected to have 475 battle force ships compared to the United States' 305 to 317. Also Read | India backs Pakistan’s resolution at UN condemning Quran burning protests China's People's Liberation Army Navy already is the largest naval fleet globally in terms of total vessels and continues to acquire modern and capable designs, including aircraft carriers. Shipyard capacity During a US congressional hearing in February, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro expressed concerns about China's shipyard capacity, pointing out the significant threat it poses. He highlighted that China has 13 shipyards, with some individual shipyards having more capacity than all of the United States' shipyards combined. This disparity in shipyard capacity has a profound impact on the ability to sustain ships. The circulating slide now emphasises the importance of shipyard capacity by noting that over 50 dry docks are capable of accommodating an aircraft carrier. China is actively working to expand its carrier fleets, indicating their focus on developing yards capable of supporting larger surface ships and submarines. Challenges faced by the US Navy The U.S. Navy recognises the limitations of the slide saying it is not a definitive data set and considers it a living document. “The slide was developed by the Office of Naval Intelligence from multiple public sources as part of an overall brief on strategic competition," a US Navy spokesperson told The War Zone. Watch | Kenya on the boil as protests erupt against tax hikes × "The slide provides context and trends on China’s shipbuilding capacity. It is not intended as a deep-dive into the PRC [People's Republic of China's] commercial shipbuilding industry," the spokesperson said adding, "It’s been iterated on over time and the unclassified sources used most recently were commercially-available shipbuilding data, publicly-available U.S. Navy long-range shipbuilding plans from the 2023 Presidential Budget (PB23), and the publicly-discussed approximate projected future PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] force." The widening gap in naval power between China and the United States raises concerns about the US Navy's ability to challenge Chinese ambitions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Growing disparity in naval power, China's dominance raises concerns for US navy

In a span of 11 months, three US navy ships have visited a privately-owned Indian shipyard for repair. Taking the India-US strategic partnership forward, the US Navy's seventh fleet has signed a five-year pact for ship repairs with a shipyard owned by Indian firm.

US Navy signs first ship repair pact in India, a step ahead for India-US partnership

The US Navy said that Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized a commercial ship in the Gulf, media reports said. This incident occurred just a day after the US accused Iranian forces of two similar attempts off Oman.

Such incidents have become more frequent since 2018, when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and imposed severe sanctions on Iran, leading to heightened tensions. While talks to revive the accord have resumed with Oman's mediation, the progress has been slow.

The Fifth Fleet of the US Navy, based in Bahrain, stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had "forcibly" taken control of a commercial vessel suspected of being involved in smuggling activities. The US forces monitored the situation in international waters but decided that no further action was necessary.

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The statement released by the US Navy did not provide details about the specific commercial ship involved.

However, it emphasised that US forces are committed to safeguarding the rights of lawful maritime traffic in the crucial waters of the Middle East.

In recent years, both Washington and Tehran have exchanged accusations regarding a series of incidents in the tense Gulf region, which plays a significant role in global oil trade.

<h2>Previous attempts&nbsp;</h2>

A day before, the US Navy said that it had prevented two attempts by the Iranian navy to seize commercial tankers in international waters near Oman.

In one instance, the Iranians even fired shots. However, in both cases, the presence of a US destroyer prompted the Iranians to retreat.

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According to Iran's maritime services, one of the tankers involved, the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, had collided with an Iranian vessel, resulting in serious injuries to five crew members and causing damage and flooding on the Iranian ship.

Iran claimed that the Richmond Voyager had disregarded international maritime regulations and continued its course, and as a result, a court order was issued for Iran's navy to seize the tanker.

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The tanker altered its route before entering Oman's territorial waters, media reports said.&nbsp;

<h2>Iran's actions&nbsp;</h2>

Iran reported the last incident to Oman, which it considers a friendly country and a mediator between Iran and the United States. Iran requested the seizure of the vessel.

It is worth noting that Iran had previously seized two tankers within a week in regional waters during April and early May.

In one of those incidents, Iranian navy commandos descended onto the deck of an oil tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag, the Advantage Sweet, in the Gulf of Oman.

Furthermore, Iran faced accusations of launching a drone attack against an Israeli-owned tanker in November 2022, which further escalated tensions with the United States.

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The US Navy said that Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized a commercial ship in the Gulf, media reports said. This incident occurred just a day after the US accused Iranian forces of two similar attempts off Oman.

The US Navy said that Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized a commercial ship in the Gulf, media reports said. This incident occurred just a day after the US accused Iranian forces of two similar attempts off Oman. Such incidents have become more frequent since 2018, when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and imposed severe sanctions on Iran, leading to heightened tensions. While talks to revive the accord have resumed with Oman's mediation, the progress has been slow. The Fifth Fleet of the US Navy, based in Bahrain, stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had "forcibly" taken control of a commercial vessel suspected of being involved in smuggling activities. The US forces monitored the situation in international waters but decided that no further action was necessary. Also Read | US: Man found guilty of raping, impregnating 9-year-old girl gets life sentence The statement released by the US Navy did not provide details about the specific commercial ship involved. However, it emphasised that US forces are committed to safeguarding the rights of lawful maritime traffic in the crucial waters of the Middle East. In recent years, both Washington and Tehran have exchanged accusations regarding a series of incidents in the tense Gulf region, which plays a significant role in global oil trade. Previous attempts A day before, the US Navy said that it had prevented two attempts by the Iranian navy to seize commercial tankers in international waters near Oman. In one instance, the Iranians even fired shots. However, in both cases, the presence of a US destroyer prompted the Iranians to retreat. Also Read | Hong Kong police arrest four men for allegedly aiding overseas activists According to Iran's maritime services, one of the tankers involved, the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, had collided with an Iranian vessel, resulting in serious injuries to five crew members and causing damage and flooding on the Iranian ship. Iran claimed that the Richmond Voyager had disregarded international maritime regulations and continued its course, and as a result, a court order was issued for Iran's navy to seize the tanker. Watch | Russian expert claims the US is working on weaponising asteroids against enemies × The tanker altered its route before entering Oman's territorial waters, media reports said. Iran's actions Iran reported the last incident to Oman, which it considers a friendly country and a mediator between Iran and the United States. Iran requested the seizure of the vessel. It is worth noting that Iran had previously seized two tankers within a week in regional waters during April and early May. In one of those incidents, Iranian navy commandos descended onto the deck of an oil tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag, the Advantage Sweet, in the Gulf of Oman. Furthermore, Iran faced accusations of launching a drone attack against an Israeli-owned tanker in November 2022, which further escalated tensions with the United States. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Iran's Revolutionary Guards seize commercial ship in Gulf after two similar attempts

In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US&nbsp;Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels. However, in both incidents, the Iranian vessels retreated after the US&nbsp;Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene. The commercial ships were able to continue their voyages without further disruption.&nbsp;

This latest saga comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have been on the rise since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed severe sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philadelphia-gunman-identified-as-gun-loving-blm-supporter-kimbrady-carriker-reports-612409">Philadelphia gunman identified as gun-loving BLM supporter Kimbrady Carriker: Reports</a>

Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, confirmed that the Iranian Navy tried to seize the commercial tankers while they were lawfully transiting international waters. “The Iranian Navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” he said adding, “The US&nbsp;Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.”

As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Iran regarding the incident.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-killed-two-injured-after-explosions-rock-ukrainian-court-612402">One killed, two injured after multiple explosions rock Ukrainian court</a>

According to the US Navy, the first incident occurred when an Iranian naval vessel approached the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, in the Gulf of Oman at approximately 1 am. In response, the US deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, along with an MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane.

Approximately three hours later, the US Navy received a distress call from the Richmond Voyager, an oil tanker flying the Bahamian flag, located over 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman's capital.&nbsp;

The navy reported that another Iranian naval vessel closed in on the tanker within a mile and ordered it to stop.

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The US destroyer swiftly approached the tanker at maximum speed, the Navy said.&nbsp;Prior to the arrival of the USS McFaul, Iranian personnel fired multiple sustained bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons, according to the US Navy's statement.

<h2>Iran's history of naval provocations</h2>

The US Navy has noted that Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the past two years and has harassed over a dozen others.&nbsp;

Many of these incidents have taken place in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil is transported.

Previous incidents include an April raid by Iranian navy commandos who seized a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian state TV aired footage of the operation, claiming the seizure was in response to a collision with another Iranian vessel.&nbsp;

However, Iran provided no evidence to support its claim. Iran has previously used the seizure of commercial vessels as a bargaining tool in negotiations with the West.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy reported that one of the tankers was fired upon by Iranian naval vessels. However, in both incidents, the Iranian vessels retreated after the US Navy dispatched a guided missile destroyer to the scene. The commercial ships were able to continue their voyages without further disruption. This latest saga comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have been on the rise since the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement and reimposed severe sanctions on Iran. Also Read | Philadelphia gunman identified as gun-loving BLM supporter Kimbrady Carriker: Reports Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, confirmed that the Iranian Navy tried to seize the commercial tankers while they were lawfully transiting international waters. “The Iranian Navy did make attempts to seize commercial tankers lawfully transiting international waters,” he said adding, “The US Navy responded immediately and prevented those seizures.” As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Iran regarding the incident. Also Read | One killed, two injured after multiple explosions rock Ukrainian court According to the US Navy, the first incident occurred when an Iranian naval vessel approached the TRF Moss, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, in the Gulf of Oman at approximately 1 am. In response, the US deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, along with an MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon patrol plane. Approximately three hours later, the US Navy received a distress call from the Richmond Voyager, an oil tanker flying the Bahamian flag, located over 20 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman's capital. The navy reported that another Iranian naval vessel closed in on the tanker within a mile and ordered it to stop. Watch | British children are shorter than their European peers , says experts × The US destroyer swiftly approached the tanker at maximum speed, the Navy said. Prior to the arrival of the USS McFaul, Iranian personnel fired multiple sustained bursts from small arms and crew-served weapons, according to the US Navy's statement. Iran's history of naval provocations The US Navy has noted that Iran has seized at least five commercial vessels in the past two years and has harassed over a dozen others. Many of these incidents have taken place in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage through which 20 per cent of the world's crude oil is transported. Previous incidents include an April raid by Iranian navy commandos who seized a US-bound oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian state TV aired footage of the operation, claiming the seizure was in response to a collision with another Iranian vessel. However, Iran provided no evidence to support its claim. Iran has previously used the seizure of commercial vessels as a bargaining tool in negotiations with the West. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Iran attempts to seize oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz, prompts US Navy response

The United States Navy, on Sunday&nbsp;(June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in&nbsp;the Persian Gulf after three&nbsp;fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the US Navy say about the incident?</h2>

In a statement, the US Navy claimed that there were three fast-attack vessels of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard with armed troops on board which approached a merchant ship&nbsp;on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;

The US Navy responded to the ship’s call with its guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, while the Royal Navy dispatched its frigate HMS Lancaster, the latter also launched a helicopter for surveillance.&nbsp;

The incident took place around 4:56 pm (local time) when an internationally-flagged merchant vessel made a radio distress call and the “civilian crew” said the US Navy, in a statement, adding&nbsp;that three fast-attack boats approached and followed the merchant vessel at a “close distance”. 
 
“The fast-attacked craft were assessed to be from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy,” said the US Navy.&nbsp;It added, “The situation de-escalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene. The merchant ship continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.”&nbsp;

The US Navy also released black-and-white images of the alleged incident which they said was taken by the US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon overhead. The images show three small boats approaching a commercial ship. However, the US Navy did not identify the merchant vessel involved.

<h2>What else do we know about the reported incident?</h2>

A report by the Associated Press, citing ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com, said that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Venture “erratically” changed its course as it travelled through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf around the same time the&nbsp;incident took place.&nbsp;

Additionally, the report also said that its location matched information about the incident given by the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a military operation which oversees traffic in the region. As per the media report, the ship’s registered manager was Trust Bulkers of Athens, Greece.&nbsp;

The latest incident also comes amid a series of maritime confrontations which have reportedly involved Tehran after the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018. Notably, about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp; 
 
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The United States Navy, on Sunday (June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf after three fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it.

The United States Navy, on Sunday (June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf after three fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it. What did the US Navy say about the incident? In a statement, the US Navy claimed that there were three fast-attack vessels of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard with armed troops on board which approached a merchant ship on Sunday afternoon. The US Navy responded to the ship’s call with its guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, while the Royal Navy dispatched its frigate HMS Lancaster, the latter also launched a helicopter for surveillance. The incident took place around 4:56 pm (local time) when an internationally-flagged merchant vessel made a radio distress call and the “civilian crew” said the US Navy, in a statement, adding that three fast-attack boats approached and followed the merchant vessel at a “close distance”. “The fast-attacked craft were assessed to be from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy,” said the US Navy. It added, “The situation de-escalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene. The merchant ship continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.” The US Navy also released black-and-white images of the alleged incident which they said was taken by the US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon overhead. The images show three small boats approaching a commercial ship. However, the US Navy did not identify the merchant vessel involved. What else do we know about the reported incident? A report by the Associated Press, citing ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com, said that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Venture “erratically” changed its course as it travelled through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf around the same time the incident took place. Additionally, the report also said that its location matched information about the incident given by the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a military operation which oversees traffic in the region. As per the media report, the ship’s registered manager was Trust Bulkers of Athens, Greece. The latest incident also comes amid a series of maritime confrontations which have reportedly involved Tehran after the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018. Notably, about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US, UK navies respond to ‘distress call’ in Strait of Hormuz after Iranian boats ‘harassed’ ship

The US Navy said on Wednesday (May 3) that Iran has seized a second oil tanker in a week in Gulf waters. This is being seen as the latest escalation in a series of seizures/attacks on commercial vessels in these waters since 2019.&nbsp;

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) seized the Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi. The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet of the US Navy said that the seizure took place at 6:20 am (0220 GMT) while the oil tanker was passing through the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency quoted Tehran's prosecutor as saying that the oil tanker was seized on a judicial order following a complaint by a plaintiff. There were no further details.

The latest incident comes just days after Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker called the Advantage Sweet. The tanker was seized in the Gulf of Oman. The Marshall Islands flag registry said on Tuesday that the tanker was being held by Iranian authorities in Bandar Abbas.&nbsp;

Maritime security firm Ambrey has said it believed the Advantage Sweet's seizure by Iran was in response to a recent seizure via a court order by the United States of an oil cargo aboard the Marshall Islands tanker Suez Rajan.

The Niovi oil tanker, which was seized on Wednesday, had been travelling from Dubai towards Fujairah port in UAE when it was forced by Iran to change course towards the territorial waters of the country, said US Navy.

The Niovi last reported its position at 0231 GMT on Wednesday off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz with Fujairah as its destination, Refinitiv ship tracking data showed.

According to the International Maritime Organization shipping database, Niovi's owner is Grand Financing Co, and the ship is managed by Greece-based Smart Tankers.

Reuters said Smart Tankers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Strait of Hormuz sees the passage of about a fifth of the world's crude oil and oil products. It is a narrow choke point between Iran and Oman.

"Heightened military activity and geopolitical tensions in these regions continue to pose serious threats to commercial vessels," the Marshall Islands flag registry said in an advisory on Tuesday.

"Associated with these threats is the potential for miscalculation or misidentification, which could lead to aggressive actions."

Since 2019, there have been a series of attacks on shipping in the strategic Gulf waters at a&nbsp;time of tension between the United States and Iran.

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers have stalled since September over a range of issues, including the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on popular protests, Tehran's sale of drones to Russia and acceleration of its nuclear program.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US Navy said on Wednesday (May 3) that Iran has seized a second oil tanker in a week in Gulf waters. This is being seen as the latest escalation in a series of seizures/attacks on commercial vessels in these waters since 2019.

The US Navy said on Wednesday (May 3) that Iran has seized a second oil tanker in a week in Gulf waters. This is being seen as the latest escalation in a series of seizures/attacks on commercial vessels in these waters since 2019. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) seized the Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi. The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet of the US Navy said that the seizure took place at 6:20 am (0220 GMT) while the oil tanker was passing through the narrow Strait of Hormuz. Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency quoted Tehran's prosecutor as saying that the oil tanker was seized on a judicial order following a complaint by a plaintiff. There were no further details. The latest incident comes just days after Iran seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker called the Advantage Sweet. The tanker was seized in the Gulf of Oman. The Marshall Islands flag registry said on Tuesday that the tanker was being held by Iranian authorities in Bandar Abbas. Maritime security firm Ambrey has said it believed the Advantage Sweet's seizure by Iran was in response to a recent seizure via a court order by the United States of an oil cargo aboard the Marshall Islands tanker Suez Rajan. The Niovi oil tanker, which was seized on Wednesday, had been travelling from Dubai towards Fujairah port in UAE when it was forced by Iran to change course towards the territorial waters of the country, said US Navy. The Niovi last reported its position at 0231 GMT on Wednesday off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz with Fujairah as its destination, Refinitiv ship tracking data showed. According to the International Maritime Organization shipping database, Niovi's owner is Grand Financing Co, and the ship is managed by Greece-based Smart Tankers. Reuters said Smart Tankers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Strait of Hormuz sees the passage of about a fifth of the world's crude oil and oil products. It is a narrow choke point between Iran and Oman. "Heightened military activity and geopolitical tensions in these regions continue to pose serious threats to commercial vessels," the Marshall Islands flag registry said in an advisory on Tuesday. "Associated with these threats is the potential for miscalculation or misidentification, which could lead to aggressive actions." Since 2019, there have been a series of attacks on shipping in the strategic Gulf waters at a time of tension between the United States and Iran. Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with world powers have stalled since September over a range of issues, including the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on popular protests, Tehran's sale of drones to Russia and acceleration of its nuclear program. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran seizes oil tanker, second in a week: US Navy

There are fresh tensions in the commercially vital Gulf waters, the US Navy says that Iran has seized an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, making it the second-such capture in the Gulf waters. The Panama-flagged oil tanker 'Naomi' was seized by Iran's Paramilitary.

Iran seizes Panama-flagged oil tanker in Tehran on judicial order | World News | WION

Indicating the commitment of the US Navy and Department of Defense to utilise ship repair and maintenance facilities in India, two large cargo ferrying vessels of the US Navy successfully underwent repairs in an Indian shipyard, over the last seven months. USNS Matthew Perry, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the US Navy, is the latest to sail out of the southern Indian city of Chennai after undergoing maintenance works at the Larsen &amp; Toubro shipyard here. Matthew Perry underwent voyage repairs in Chennai for a little over two weeks — from March 11&nbsp;tp 27.&nbsp;

The USNS Matthew Perry measures 210 metres in length, and 32.3 metres in breadth and has 35,300&nbsp;tonnage. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had expressed intent to utilise the ship repair facilities in India, at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington DC in April 2022.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-run-shipyard-csl-begins-construction-of-six-vessels-for-german-firm-576527">Indian govt-run shipyard CSL begins construction of six vessels for German firm&nbsp;</a>

Judith Ravin, US Consul General in Chennai said that the US is a proud Indo-Pacific nation and the US vital interests are inexplicably tied to the region and India is an important partner of the US, in the Indo-Pacific. "I am confident the USNS Matthew Perry's maintenance and repair works in India will further strengthen our bond. Our shipping industries positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific by partnering to deliver effective, efficient and economical repair of military vessels," he added.&nbsp;

In August 2022, USNS Charles Drew became the first-ever American ship to undergo repair and maintenance in India. The Charles Drew and Matthew Perry are part of the United States Military Sealift Command and are Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships.&nbsp;

In February 2023, Indian&nbsp;government-run defence and aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it’ll soon be performing maintenance and repairs on the engines of the American-origin MQ-9B drones.&nbsp;

The General Atomics MQ-9B High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones are currently in use by the Indian Navy for Maritime Surveillance requirements. While the Indian Navy uses drones that are leased from General Atomics, there are proposals to purchase 30 MQ-9B drones, 10 each for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of these drone engines at the HAL engine division in Bengaluru gain&nbsp;significance, given that talks are on for purchasing these drones for India's strategic use.

“HAL has been manufacturing and providing MRO support for TPE 331-5 engines for the last 40 years. We are also establishing facilities for manufacturing TPE 331-12B engines for HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo trainer) project. The engine used on the MQ-9B Remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) belongs to the same family of engines with upgraded configuration to adapt to the RPAS technology," C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, of HAL, had said.&nbsp; 
 
 
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Indicating the commitment of the US Navy and Department of Defense to utilise ship repair and maintenance facilities in India, two large cargo ferrying vessels of the US Navy successfully underwent repairs in an Indian shipyard, over the last seven months.

Indicating the commitment of the US Navy and Department of Defense to utilise ship repair and maintenance facilities in India, two large cargo ferrying vessels of the US Navy successfully underwent repairs in an Indian shipyard, over the last seven months. USNS Matthew Perry, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship of the US Navy, is the latest to sail out of the southern Indian city of Chennai after undergoing maintenance works at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard here. Matthew Perry underwent voyage repairs in Chennai for a little over two weeks — from March 11 tp 27. The USNS Matthew Perry measures 210 metres in length, and 32.3 metres in breadth and has 35,300 tonnage. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had expressed intent to utilise the ship repair facilities in India, at the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Washington DC in April 2022. ALSO READ | Indian govt-run shipyard CSL begins construction of six vessels for German firm Judith Ravin, US Consul General in Chennai said that the US is a proud Indo-Pacific nation and the US vital interests are inexplicably tied to the region and India is an important partner of the US, in the Indo-Pacific. "I am confident the USNS Matthew Perry's maintenance and repair works in India will further strengthen our bond. Our shipping industries positively contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific by partnering to deliver effective, efficient and economical repair of military vessels," he added. In August 2022, USNS Charles Drew became the first-ever American ship to undergo repair and maintenance in India. The Charles Drew and Matthew Perry are part of the United States Military Sealift Command and are Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships. In February 2023, Indian government-run defence and aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it’ll soon be performing maintenance and repairs on the engines of the American-origin MQ-9B drones. The General Atomics MQ-9B High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones are currently in use by the Indian Navy for Maritime Surveillance requirements. While the Indian Navy uses drones that are leased from General Atomics, there are proposals to purchase 30 MQ-9B drones, 10 each for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of these drone engines at the HAL engine division in Bengaluru gain significance, given that talks are on for purchasing these drones for India's strategic use. “HAL has been manufacturing and providing MRO support for TPE 331-5 engines for the last 40 years. We are also establishing facilities for manufacturing TPE 331-12B engines for HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo trainer) project. The engine used on the MQ-9B Remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) belongs to the same family of engines with upgraded configuration to adapt to the RPAS technology," C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, of HAL, had said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sign of growing defence ties, two US Navy ships undergo repairs at Indian shipyard

The British Navy has seized anti-tank missiles and fins for ballistic missile assemblies during a raid on a small boat most likely heading from Iran to Yemen. The Iranian media has not immediately acknowledged the seizure.&nbsp;

According to the British defence ministry, the raid took place on February 23 after an American aircraft detected a small motorboat with cargo covered by a grey taro heading from Iran, with a helicopter from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster chasing the vessel as it ignored being hailed by video, the news agency AP reported on Thursday (March 2).&nbsp;

Inside the motorboat, British troops found Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, the US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Navy said. The boat also had small fins which the US Navy identified as jet vanes for medium-range ballistic missiles, and impact sensor covers which go on the tip of those missiles.&nbsp;

While the British did not identify where they suspected the weapons to go, the US Navy described the seizure as happening “along a route historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully to Yemen.”

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the seizure supported the country's "commitment to uphold international law and tackle an activity that threatens peace and security around the world.” On the other hand, the commander of the American 5th Fleet Vice Admiral Cooper said in a statement that this was the “seventh illegal weapon or drug interdiction in the last three months and yet another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region.”

A resolution from the United Nations bans arms transfer to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Iran for long has denied arming the rebels, despite numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons back to Tehran, the AP report added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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The British Navy has seized anti-tank missiles and fins for ballistic missile assemblies during a raid on a small boat most likely heading from Iran to Yemen. The Iranian media has not immediately acknowledged the seizure.

The British Navy has seized anti-tank missiles and fins for ballistic missile assemblies during a raid on a small boat most likely heading from Iran to Yemen. The Iranian media has not immediately acknowledged the seizure. According to the British defence ministry, the raid took place on February 23 after an American aircraft detected a small motorboat with cargo covered by a grey taro heading from Iran, with a helicopter from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster chasing the vessel as it ignored being hailed by video, the news agency AP reported on Thursday (March 2). Inside the motorboat, British troops found Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, the US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Navy said. The boat also had small fins which the US Navy identified as jet vanes for medium-range ballistic missiles, and impact sensor covers which go on the tip of those missiles. While the British did not identify where they suspected the weapons to go, the US Navy described the seizure as happening “along a route historically used to traffic weapons unlawfully to Yemen.” British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the seizure supported the country's "commitment to uphold international law and tackle an activity that threatens peace and security around the world.” On the other hand, the commander of the American 5th Fleet Vice Admiral Cooper said in a statement that this was the “seventh illegal weapon or drug interdiction in the last three months and yet another example of Iran’s increasing malign maritime activity across the region.” A resolution from the United Nations bans arms transfer to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Iran for long has denied arming the rebels, despite numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons back to Tehran, the AP report added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

British Navy seizes boat caught ferrying Iranian missiles on arms trafficking route to Yemen

A US federal appeals court on Friday, protecting the rights of Sikhs ruled that US Marine Corps must allow the Sikh recruits to maintain religious beards and wear turbans while serving the country, citing the current rule as a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

A US federal appeals court on Friday, protecting the rights of Sikhs ruled that US Marine Corps must allow the Sikh recruits to maintain religious beards and wear turbans while serving the country, citing the current rule as a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The court's three-judge bench observed that the Marine Corps could never really explain why it can't provide similar religious accommodations that other military branches such as the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard already provide. "If the need to develop unit cohesion during recruit training can accommodate some external indicia of individuality, then whatever line is drawn cannot turn on whether those indicia are prevalent in society or instead reflect the faith practice of a minority," read the decision written by the court. Notably, the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard accommodate the religious requirements of the Sikh recruits. The court was hearing the case pertaining to three Sikh men named Aekash Singh, Jaskirat Singh and Milaap Singh Chahal who passed tests to enlist in the US Marine last year. However, since then, the three have been forced to fight the lawsuits as the Marines argue that recruits need to be stripped of their 'individuality'. The Marines also argue that the rules are necessary to maintain uniformity for national interest. Read more: Sikh-American airman allowed by US Air Force to keep turban, beard on active duty The court, in response, said US Marines is part of Navy and that officers train at the Naval Academy. The Academy accommodates beards and wearing of the religious articles. It added that even the US Marines allowed men with specific skin conditions to not shave and that women recruits maintained hairstyles. After the ruling, Eric Baxter, representing the plaintiffs took to Twitter and said, "Today’s ruling is a major victory for these Sikh recruits, who can now begin basic training without having to forfeit their religious beliefs." “It is also a victory for our nation, as three brave and dedicated men will soon serve our nation with valor in the Marine Corps.” A federal court has just ruled that Sikhs can maintain their religious beards while serving their country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Now, three Sikh recruits, who had previously been denied religious accommodations, can enter basic training. https://t.co/BzmkpcsAOm — Eric Baxter (@esbax) December 23, 2022 × Those following Sikhism, especially the men are forbidden from cutting their locks or trimming their beards, all the while wearing a turban. They are also instructed to carry a kanga (wooden comb), kirpan (small sword), kara (steel bracelet), and a white cotton undergarment (kachera). Sikhs throughout the world have served in militaries in different capacities. Their valour and courage are well-documented and they have performed admirably as their peers, even whilst carrying their religious articles. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US court directs Marines to allow Sikh recruits with beards and turbans

In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment. 
 
The Navy, in its message, revealed the USS West Virginia's docking in the Indian Ocean and its visit to the port from October 25 to 31. When Navy submarines are at sea, their specific movements remain highly classified, so the submarines would have got the required time to transit to a different location in the Indian Ocean because of the delayed announcement.

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As per a military official, the importance of publicising the USS West Virginia's port call is to relay a message to its potential allies as well as adversaries. “They should take from this that a ballistic missile submarine which is undetectable can operate in any ocean for an extended period,” said the official. 
 
Both the US and British forces use Diego Garcia, which is a highly militarised island, located in the south of the equator. The nuclear-missile-equipped submarine's remote location helped it in ensuring that the 150-person crew remains unobserved by outsiders and the operations of the submarine remain a secret, allowing it to dock in the region for a longer duration. 
 
The official did not clarify if the message was aimed at Russia, North Korea or China, however, it is known for a fact that the US submarines' underwater stealth is critical to collecting highly classified signals intelligence related to adversaries along with providing sea-based nuclear deterrence with the presence of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles.

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In a statement, Commander of US Strategic Command Adm Charles Richard said: “Every operational plan rests on the assumption that nuclear deterrence is holding, and (ballistic missile submarines) like West Virginia are vital to a credible nuclear deterrence for the United States and our allies.” 
 
As per the official, a standard submarine patrol lasts for 10 to 12 weeks and it can be extended by many weeks by switching out the crew.

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In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment.

In a rare move, the US military informed its allies as well as adversaries of the docking of a US Navy nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for the first time at the remote island of Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, as part of the months-long deployment. The Navy, in its message, revealed the USS West Virginia's docking in the Indian Ocean and its visit to the port from October 25 to 31. When Navy submarines are at sea, their specific movements remain highly classified, so the submarines would have got the required time to transit to a different location in the Indian Ocean because of the delayed announcement. ALSO READ| China unwilling to allow 'effective' foreign COVID vaccine despite the protests: US As per a military official, the importance of publicising the USS West Virginia's port call is to relay a message to its potential allies as well as adversaries. “They should take from this that a ballistic missile submarine which is undetectable can operate in any ocean for an extended period,” said the official. Both the US and British forces use Diego Garcia, which is a highly militarised island, located in the south of the equator. The nuclear-missile-equipped submarine's remote location helped it in ensuring that the 150-person crew remains unobserved by outsiders and the operations of the submarine remain a secret, allowing it to dock in the region for a longer duration. The official did not clarify if the message was aimed at Russia, North Korea or China, however, it is known for a fact that the US submarines' underwater stealth is critical to collecting highly classified signals intelligence related to adversaries along with providing sea-based nuclear deterrence with the presence of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles. ALSO READ| Joe Biden says 'silence is complicity' in his call to denounce anti-semitism In a statement, Commander of US Strategic Command Adm Charles Richard said: “Every operational plan rests on the assumption that nuclear deterrence is holding, and (ballistic missile submarines) like West Virginia are vital to a credible nuclear deterrence for the United States and our allies.” As per the official, a standard submarine patrol lasts for 10 to 12 weeks and it can be extended by many weeks by switching out the crew.

US Navy shows its prowess, shares submarine’s ‘undetected’ port visit, docking in Indian Ocean

To boost the defence mechanism, the Pentagon in its recent statement on Wednesday (October 26) said that the US Navy and Army recently blasted off a rocket in Virginia to test a few hypersonic weapons.&nbsp;

The Navy in its statement said, "Sandia National Laboratories ran the test from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, which evaluated hypersonic weapon communications and navigation equipment as well as advanced materials that can withstand the heat in a "realistic hypersonic environment," Reuters reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-warns-russia-against-using-nukes-says-would-be-incredibly-serious-mistake-528412">Also read&nbsp;| Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says it would be 'incredibly serious mistake'</a>

The test was done&nbsp;to validate&nbsp;aspects of the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and the Army's Long Range Hypersonic Weapons( LHRW).

Calling the experiment a success, the Pentagon said that this experiment will help the country to develop a new class of defence weapons.&nbsp;

For this test, the Pentagon used a sounding rocket, a bit smaller and much more affordable than the original one. The vehicle filled din gap between ground testing and full-system flight testing.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-defence-secretary-ash-carter-dies-at-68-528380">Also read |&nbsp;Former US defence secretary Ash Carter dies at 68</a>

Unlike its other air-breathing hypersonic weapons, the glide bodies use scramjet engine technology and high speed to compress air force combustion to maintain hypersonic&nbsp;speeds.&nbsp;

With global threats and invasions increasing, the United States along with its rivals focusing on developing hypersonic missiles that will soon take over the traditional means of weapons.

For the US, companies like Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Technologies Corp are working to develop hypersonic missiles.&nbsp;

(With input from agencies)

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To boost the defence mechanism, the Pentagon in its recent statement on Wednesday (October 26) said that the US Navy and Army recently blasted off a rocket in Virginia to test a few hypersonic weapons.

To boost the defence mechanism, the Pentagon in its recent statement on Wednesday (October 26) said that the US Navy and Army recently blasted off a rocket in Virginia to test a few hypersonic weapons. The Navy in its statement said, "Sandia National Laboratories ran the test from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, which evaluated hypersonic weapon communications and navigation equipment as well as advanced materials that can withstand the heat in a "realistic hypersonic environment," Reuters reported. Also read | Biden warns Russia against using nukes, says it would be 'incredibly serious mistake' The test was done to validate aspects of the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and the Army's Long Range Hypersonic Weapons( LHRW). Calling the experiment a success, the Pentagon said that this experiment will help the country to develop a new class of defence weapons. For this test, the Pentagon used a sounding rocket, a bit smaller and much more affordable than the original one. The vehicle filled din gap between ground testing and full-system flight testing. Also read | Former US defence secretary Ash Carter dies at 68 Unlike its other air-breathing hypersonic weapons, the glide bodies use scramjet engine technology and high speed to compress air force combustion to maintain hypersonic speeds. With global threats and invasions increasing, the United States along with its rivals focusing on developing hypersonic missiles that will soon take over the traditional means of weapons. For the US, companies like Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Technologies Corp are working to develop hypersonic missiles. (With input from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: Pentagon tests dozen hypersonic weapons to develop new defence class, calls it successful 

The USS Zumwalt – one of the most advanced surface warships in the United States Navy – was sent to the western Pacific region and&nbsp;it reached Tokyo on Monday. With tensions flaring between China and Taiwan, this was seen as a show of power by the US who may deploy hypersonic missiles to the region.

According to CNN, the USS Zumwalt belongs to a class of multi-mission guided missile destroyers that the Navy believes will “create a new level of battlespace complexity for potential adversaries.”

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There are two other ships in the Zumwalt class - USS Michael Mansoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson.

The warship made a port call in Guam and arrived in Japan on Monday as part of the Destroyer Squadron 15 – the largest destroyer squadron operated by the Navy out of Yokosuka Naval Base.

“The presence of a stealth warship will draw a great deal of (Chinese) interest, especially if the Zumwalt is outfitted with hypersonic weapons,” Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, told CNN.

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Currently, the USS Zumwalt is “the largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world” and at 185 meters long, it is larger than any Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

The Pentagon is also looking to upgrade the warship by adding the latest Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HCB) weapons system in the future. The weapons system fires missiles at hypersonic speed by the use of booster rocket motor, according to the latest memo published by the US Navy.

“The C-HGB is intended to be able to destroy targets by virtue of its velocity alone,” the report said.

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The USS Zumwalt – one of the most advanced surface warships in the United States Navy – was sent to the western Pacific region and it reached Tokyo on Monday. With tensions flaring between China and Taiwan, this was seen as a show of power by the US who may deploy hypersonic missiles to the region.

The USS Zumwalt – one of the most advanced surface warships in the United States Navy – was sent to the western Pacific region and it reached Tokyo on Monday. With tensions flaring between China and Taiwan, this was seen as a show of power by the US who may deploy hypersonic missiles to the region. According to CNN, the USS Zumwalt belongs to a class of multi-mission guided missile destroyers that the Navy believes will “create a new level of battlespace complexity for potential adversaries.” Also read | NASA's DART spacecraft strikes asteroid in key planetary defence test There are two other ships in the Zumwalt class - USS Michael Mansoor and USS Lyndon B. Johnson. The warship made a port call in Guam and arrived in Japan on Monday as part of the Destroyer Squadron 15 – the largest destroyer squadron operated by the Navy out of Yokosuka Naval Base. “The presence of a stealth warship will draw a great deal of (Chinese) interest, especially if the Zumwalt is outfitted with hypersonic weapons,” Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain, told CNN. Also read | US Vice President Harris will visit Korean DMZ on Thursday, US and South Korean officials confirm Currently, the USS Zumwalt is “the largest and most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world” and at 185 meters long, it is larger than any Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The Pentagon is also looking to upgrade the warship by adding the latest Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HCB) weapons system in the future. The weapons system fires missiles at hypersonic speed by the use of booster rocket motor, according to the latest memo published by the US Navy. “The C-HGB is intended to be able to destroy targets by virtue of its velocity alone,” the report said.

US Navy sends one of its most advanced surface warships to western Pacific

Authorities have revealed that one of the largest fugitive contractors in the US navy’s worst corruption scandal has been arrested.

The US Marshals Service said that Leonard Glenn Francis, nicknamed “Fat Leonard”, was about to board an aeroplane for another country when he was arrested.

Accused of bribing US navy officers, Francis was under home arrest in San Diego when he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and escaped on 4 September.

As a result, a $40,000 reward for his arrest was issued along with a red notice allowing the possibility of extradition.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/true-crime-podcasts-documentaries-and-shows-that-changed-the-course-of-justice-518755" hreflang="en">True Crime: Podcasts, documentaries, and shows that changed the course of justice</a>

In 2015, Francis pleaded guilty to overcharging the Navy by at least $35 million for servicing ships and offered more than $500,000 in bribes to navy officials.

According to prosecutors, officers involved in the scam called themselves the Lion’s King Harem.

While he cooperated with the prosecution, Francis had been allowed to remain in home confinement to receive medical care.

Out of the 34 defendants, 33 were convicted with the help of Francis while four navy officers were found guilty in relation to the scandal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Authorities have revealed that one of the largest fugitive contractors in the US navy’s worst corruption scandal has been arrested. The US Marshals Service said that Leonard Glenn Francis, nicknamed “Fat Leonard”, was about to board an aeroplane for another country when he was arrested.

Authorities have revealed that one of the largest fugitive contractors in the US navy’s worst corruption scandal has been arrested. The US Marshals Service said that Leonard Glenn Francis, nicknamed “Fat Leonard”, was about to board an aeroplane for another country when he was arrested. Accused of bribing US navy officers, Francis was under home arrest in San Diego when he cut off his GPS ankle bracelet and escaped on 4 September. As a result, a $40,000 reward for his arrest was issued along with a red notice allowing the possibility of extradition. Also read | True Crime: Podcasts, documentaries, and shows that changed the course of justice In 2015, Francis pleaded guilty to overcharging the Navy by at least $35 million for servicing ships and offered more than $500,000 in bribes to navy officials. According to prosecutors, officers involved in the scam called themselves the Lion’s King Harem. While he cooperated with the prosecution, Francis had been allowed to remain in home confinement to receive medical care. Out of the 34 defendants, 33 were convicted with the help of Francis while four navy officers were found guilty in relation to the scandal. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

After fleeing his sentencing, fugitive contractor in US navy’s worst corruption scandal arrested in Venezuela

Search for aliens is perhaps favorite pastime of people around the world. There have been thousands of UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) sightings in the US till now. But the US government has been silent on majority of them. The UFOs have been dismissed as man-made planes, some weather phenomenon and more. But US Navy released some videos in 2020 and said that it could not explain what was happening in those videos. The statement gave further impetus to those who strongly believe that aliens exist and are actively visiting Earth.

Now it appears that the US Navy is in possession of more UFO videos. US Department of Defence (DOD) prefers to now call them Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP). But the navy has refused to publish all the videos in its possession.

Reason?

US Navy claims that publishing all videos would "harm national security".

US Navy's statement came in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This request was filed by transparenct site, The Black Vault. The request was filed in 2020 just a day after the navy released three UFO videos. Reply from the navy has come just days ago.

"The release of this information will harm national security as it may provide adversaries valuable information regarding Department of Defense/Navy operations, vulnerabilities, and/or capabilities," Gregory Cason, deputy director of the Navy's FOIA office, wrote in a response letter. "No portions of the videos can be segregated for release."

The official said that the navy was able to publish the three videos it did in 2020 as media had already leaked those videos and there was a substantial conversation in the public domain.

Search for aliens is perhaps favorite pastime of people around the world. There have been thousands of UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) sightings in the US till now.

Search for aliens is perhaps favorite pastime of people around the world. There have been thousands of UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects) sightings in the US till now. But the US government has been silent on majority of them. The UFOs have been dismissed as man-made planes, some weather phenomenon and more. But US Navy released some videos in 2020 and said that it could not explain what was happening in those videos. The statement gave further impetus to those who strongly believe that aliens exist and are actively visiting Earth. Now it appears that the US Navy is in possession of more UFO videos. US Department of Defence (DOD) prefers to now call them Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP). But the navy has refused to publish all the videos in its possession. Reason? US Navy claims that publishing all videos would "harm national security". US Navy's statement came in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This request was filed by transparenct site, The Black Vault. The request was filed in 2020 just a day after the navy released three UFO videos. Reply from the navy has come just days ago. "The release of this information will harm national security as it may provide adversaries valuable information regarding Department of Defense/Navy operations, vulnerabilities, and/or capabilities," Gregory Cason, deputy director of the Navy's FOIA office, wrote in a response letter. "No portions of the videos can be segregated for release." The official said that the navy was able to publish the three videos it did in 2020 as media had already leaked those videos and there was a substantial conversation in the public domain.

US Navy has more UFO videos but will not release them, here's why

The US Navy on Wednesday, responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by a YouTube channel remarked that it will not be releasing the unseen videos of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) as the US government prefers to call it, in the public domain.

The US Navy on Wednesday, responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by a YouTube channel remarked that it will not be releasing the unseen videos of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) as the US government prefers to call it, in the public domain. “The release of this information will harm national security as it may provide adversaries valuable information regarding Department of Defense/Navy operations, vulnerabilities, and/or capabilities. No portions of the videos can be segregated for release,” said Gregory Cason, deputy director of the Navy's FOIA office in a written response. Reportedly, The Black Vault, a self-proclaimed government transparency website and YouTube channel had filed the request two years ago where it solicited the release of videos. In Pics | UNBELIEVABLE, but claimed to be REAL: Here are some popular and intriguing UFO sightings The US Navy responded two years later and accepted that UFO videos did exist but denied releasing them for public consumption. The US Navy also made it clear why it had released the previous three UAP videos and why it wouldn't release the one's that The Black vault asked for. “While three UAP videos were released in the past, the facts specific to those three videos are unique in that those videos were initially released via unofficial channels before official release,” read the report. “Those events were discussed extensively in the public domain; in fact, major news outlets conducted specials on these events. Given the amount of information in the public domain regarding these encounters, it was possible to release the files without further damage to national security,” it further added. As reported by WION, earlier this year in May, top Pentagon officials showed unexplained UFO videos. Ronald Moultrie and Scott Bray, two top officials of the Pentagon appeared before US House of Representatives intelligence subcommittee and showed the declassified UFO videos. Read more: Pentagon shows declassified UFO videos to US Congress in public hearing In one clip, a flashing triangle-shaped object in the night sky was seen. The other showed a shiny, spherical object zipping past the cockpit window of a military aircraft. The duo testified that reports of UFOs are 'frequent' and have been on the rise for more than a decade. However, they also added that US officials are unable to explain some of these sightings. "There are a small handful of cases in which we have more data that our analysis simply hasn't been able to fully pull together a picture of what happened," Scott Bray told the committee. UFO sightings have long fascinated the public across the planet. There have been numerous instances where people have sworn to have witnessed an extraterrestrial vehicle. However, so far, no concrete proof apart from the videos has come out in the public domain. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US Navy says it has several UFO videos, won't release them due to 'national security'

The US Marshals Service informed on Monday (September 5) that a military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, widely known as "Fat Leonard" has escaped house arrest in San Diego.

The US Marshals Service informed on Monday (September 5) that a military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, widely known as "Fat Leonard" has escaped house arrest in San Diego. Francis is at the centre of a major US Navy bribery scandal and his escape is apparently an embarrassment for the US Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies. Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Omar Castillo told AFP in a statement: "Leonard Francis cut off his GPS monitoring ankle bracelet Sunday morning." Francis, who is a Malaysian businessman, escaped ahead of his impending sentencing on September 22. He ran a military contracting company out of Singapore. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to offering some $500,000 in bribes to Navy officers. The bribe was given to steer official work to his shipyards, carrying out work on US vessels. He was arrested in 2013. The prosecutors have said that his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, overcharged the Navy by an estimated $35 million. The scandal is known as "Fat Leonard". The official said that police were sent to his San Diego residence on Sunday after the agency monitoring his ankle bracelet reported a problem with the device. "Upon arrival, they noticed that nobody was home. They then notified US Marshals who went to the house and verified that he was no longer there. As of now multiple leads are being investigated," Castillo said. A report by the San Diego Union-Tribune mentioned that the cut-off GPS bracelet was found in the house, while neighbours said they had seen U-Haul moving trucks coming and going at the property in the days leading up to his escape. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Fat Leonard': Military contractor at centre of US Navy bribery scandal escapes house arrest

Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea.

While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route".

Issuing a justification, Iran's state broadcaster said "After securing the passage of international shipping, the flotilla released the two vessels in a safe area."

After a US Navy patrol boat and helicopter were deployed to the location, the American military drone vessel was released, according to the Pentagon.

The seven-metre (23-foot) Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel was towed by a support ship from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy as per the US Central Command.

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Citing a statement by the navy, the state news agency IRNA reported that had foiled a pirate attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the area.

Adding that the invading boat "left the area" after the escort flotilla, it said a squadron had come into confrontation with the "pirates in the Red Sea".

Following a help request by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea, the same flotilla had thwarted an overnight attack on another vessel belonging to the Islamic republic as per Rear Admiral Mustafa Tajeddini.

The incident comes as the US and Iran are trying to revive a nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump had withdrawn in 2018.

Although Western nations and international inspectors say Tehran had a military nuclear programme up until 2003, Iran has maintained its programme is peaceful.

After a wave of attacks by Somalia-based pirates between 2000 and 2011, Iran stepped up its naval presence in the Gulf of Aden as it is dependent on the shipping lane through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea. While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route".

Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea. While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route". Issuing a justification, Iran's state broadcaster said "After securing the passage of international shipping, the flotilla released the two vessels in a safe area." After a US Navy patrol boat and helicopter were deployed to the location, the American military drone vessel was released, according to the Pentagon. The seven-metre (23-foot) Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel was towed by a support ship from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy as per the US Central Command. × Citing a statement by the navy, the state news agency IRNA reported that had foiled a pirate attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the area. Adding that the invading boat "left the area" after the escort flotilla, it said a squadron had come into confrontation with the "pirates in the Red Sea". Following a help request by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea, the same flotilla had thwarted an overnight attack on another vessel belonging to the Islamic republic as per Rear Admiral Mustafa Tajeddini. The incident comes as the US and Iran are trying to revive a nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump had withdrawn in 2018. Although Western nations and international inspectors say Tehran had a military nuclear programme up until 2003, Iran has maintained its programme is peaceful. After a wave of attacks by Somalia-based pirates between 2000 and 2011, Iran stepped up its naval presence in the Gulf of Aden as it is dependent on the shipping lane through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

United States Navy's two drone vessels seized by Iran in Red Sea amid tensions

Reports of sexual assault&nbsp;in the US military have jumped by 13%, with a big rise in complaints from the Army and Navy last year, reports The Associated Press.

As bases began to move out of pandemic restrictions and public venues reopened, the increase was driven by significant rise in the Army and the Navy.

In a confidential survey, 36,000 service members disclosed that they had experienced unwanted sexual contact.

According to US defence and military officials, it is a dramatic increase over the roughly 20,000 who said that in a similar survey held in 2018.

Marking the largest increase since 2013, the latest numbers are certain to anger lawmakers on Capitol Hill who have been critical of the Pentagon’s efforts to get a handle on sexual crimes and misconduct.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-abortion-ban-in-us-is-more-challenging-for-servicewomen-492093">Also read |&nbsp;Why is abortion ban in US more challenging for servicewomen?</a>

While the overall increase is largely fueled by a nearly 26 per cent jump in reports involving Army soldiers, the Navy and the Air Force reported a 9 per cent and 2 per cent rise each.

Experts had predicted that the US will miss its target for recruitment by at least 10,000 at the end of September.

If parents believe their youth are at risk of assaults, they certainly could have an impact on recruitment.

But an increase in assaults nearly every year since 2006 is a demotivating factor, especially, when the Pentagon and the military services have long struggled to come up with programmes to prevent them.

After two years of relatively small increases in reports filed by or involving service members, the double-digit overall increase will impact recruiting by anywhere from 18 per cent to 25 per cent.

A woman’s chance of being sexually assaulted in the military was about the same as a woman in the general population, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Reports of sexual assault in the US military have jumped by 13%, with a big rise in complaints from the Army and Navy last year, reports The Associated Press. As bases began to move out of pandemic restrictions and public venues reopened, the increase was driven by significant rise in the Army and the Navy.

Reports of sexual assault in the US military have jumped by 13%, with a big rise in complaints from the Army and Navy last year, reports The Associated Press. As bases began to move out of pandemic restrictions and public venues reopened, the increase was driven by significant rise in the Army and the Navy. In a confidential survey, 36,000 service members disclosed that they had experienced unwanted sexual contact. According to US defence and military officials, it is a dramatic increase over the roughly 20,000 who said that in a similar survey held in 2018. Marking the largest increase since 2013, the latest numbers are certain to anger lawmakers on Capitol Hill who have been critical of the Pentagon’s efforts to get a handle on sexual crimes and misconduct. Also read | Why is abortion ban in US more challenging for servicewomen? While the overall increase is largely fueled by a nearly 26 per cent jump in reports involving Army soldiers, the Navy and the Air Force reported a 9 per cent and 2 per cent rise each. Experts had predicted that the US will miss its target for recruitment by at least 10,000 at the end of September. If parents believe their youth are at risk of assaults, they certainly could have an impact on recruitment. But an increase in assaults nearly every year since 2006 is a demotivating factor, especially, when the Pentagon and the military services have long struggled to come up with programmes to prevent them. After two years of relatively small increases in reports filed by or involving service members, the double-digit overall increase will impact recruiting by anywhere from 18 per cent to 25 per cent. A woman’s chance of being sexually assaulted in the military was about the same as a woman in the general population, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

US military reports 13% increase in sexual assault complaints, may hit hiring: Report

The US navy stopped an Iranian naval vessel from capturing a USC drone. The Iranian vessel tried to tore the drone away but was stopped after they were confronted by US forces.

US stops Iranian navy from capturing drone

Almost 60% of China's oil imports are transported by sea. They must pass via three strategic choke points controlled by the US navy before reaching China. If war breaks out, can the US cut off China's oil supply? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Can the US cut off China's oil supply during war?

A US Navy destroyer ship carried out what US calls Freedom of Navigation exercise in the South China Sea on Wednesday. An angry China said that its military had 'driven away' the US warship which had sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands. China claims the entirety of South China Sea based on ancient claims. US regularly carries out Freedom of Navigation exercises in the sea to challenge Chinese assertions.

Monday (July 11) was the sixth anniversary of a ruling given by international tribunal that had invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. China had rejected the ruling.

The US Navy said the destroyer USS Benfold "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law".

China maintains that it does not impede freedom of navigation. It has accused the US of provoking tensions deliberately.

Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) said that action of US destroyer seriously violated China's sovereignty and security. It said that the ship illegally entered China's territorial waters around Paracel islands. These islands are also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

"The PLA's Southern Theatre Command organised sea and air forces to follow, monitor, warn and drive away" the ship, it added, showing pictures of the Benfold taken from the deck of the Chinese frigate the Xianning.

"The facts once again show that the United States is nothing short of a 'security risk maker in the South China Sea' and a 'destroyer of regional peace and stability.'"

Watch | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-china-and-pakistan-commence-maritime-exercise-near-shanghai-to-deepen-frienship-496961">China and Pakistan commence maritime exercise near Shanghai to deepen 'frienship'</a>

US Navy, in turn, has said that Chinese statement on its mission was "false". It said that this was latest Chinese act to "misrepresent lawful U.S. maritime operations and assert its excessive and illegitimate maritime claims at the expense of its Southeastern Asian neighbours in the South China Sea".

(With inputs from agencies)

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A US Navy destroyer ship carried out what US calls Freedom of Navigation exercise in the South China Sea on Wednesday. An angry China said that its military had 'driven away' the US warship which had sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands.

A US Navy destroyer ship carried out what US calls Freedom of Navigation exercise in the South China Sea on Wednesday. An angry China said that its military had 'driven away' the US warship which had sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands. China claims the entirety of South China Sea based on ancient claims. US regularly carries out Freedom of Navigation exercises in the sea to challenge Chinese assertions. Monday (July 11) was the sixth anniversary of a ruling given by international tribunal that had invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. China had rejected the ruling. The US Navy said the destroyer USS Benfold "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law". China maintains that it does not impede freedom of navigation. It has accused the US of provoking tensions deliberately. Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) said that action of US destroyer seriously violated China's sovereignty and security. It said that the ship illegally entered China's territorial waters around Paracel islands. These islands are also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. "The PLA's Southern Theatre Command organised sea and air forces to follow, monitor, warn and drive away" the ship, it added, showing pictures of the Benfold taken from the deck of the Chinese frigate the Xianning. "The facts once again show that the United States is nothing short of a 'security risk maker in the South China Sea' and a 'destroyer of regional peace and stability.'" Watch | China and Pakistan commence maritime exercise near Shanghai to deepen 'frienship' US Navy, in turn, has said that Chinese statement on its mission was "false". It said that this was latest Chinese act to "misrepresent lawful U.S. maritime operations and assert its excessive and illegitimate maritime claims at the expense of its Southeastern Asian neighbours in the South China Sea". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US carries out Freedom of Navigation exercise in South China Sea

US Navy destroyer sunk during World War II was found nearly 7,000 meters below sea level off the Philippines, making it the world’s deepest shipwreck.

US ship, sunk during World War II, found in Philippines; world’s deepest shipwreck

The remains of the USS Samuel B Roberts, a US navy destroyer escort sunk during World War II, were found by explorers below the Pacific Ocean, split in half and lodged on a slope.

Also known as the Sammy B, the world's deepest shipwreck was located on June 22 by Texan financer Victor Vescovo, an explorer who has previously completed expeditions to the world's deepest points.

It lies at a depth of 6,895 meters (22,621 feet) in the Philippine Sea. It was out of sight for nearly 80 years, until now.

&nbsp;The previous deepest wreck&nbsp;that was ever identified and discovered was the USS Johnston, found last year by Vescovo. It lies at 6,469 meters.

Samuel B. Roberts was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was commissioned on April 28, 1944. It went down during the Battle of Samar in the Philippine Sea in October 1944.

The vessel is remembered for its heroic battle against three Japanese battleships, including the Yamato, said to be the largest ever constructed.

The US ship carried 224 crewmembers, 89 of whom were killed. Captain Robert W. Copeland was one of the survivors.

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Part of the dive on the Sammy B. It appears her bow hit the seafloor with some force, causing some buckling. Her stern also separated about 5 meters on impact, but the whole wreck was together. This small ship took on the finest of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the end. <a href="https://t.co/fvi6uB0xUQ">pic.twitter.com/fvi6uB0xUQ</a>
— Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VictorVescovo/status/1540295606970769409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The ship "fought ferociously even though she was completely outclassed by the Japanese battleships and heavy cruisers she went up against," Vescovo told CNN.

"The heroism of her captain and crew is legendary in the Navy, and it was a great honor to find her final resting place. I think it helps bring closure to the story of the ship, for the families of those who were lost and those who served on her. I think that having a ship vanish into the depths, never to be seen again, can leave those affiliated with the ship feeling a sense of emptiness.”

"Finding the wrecks can help bring closure, and also bring details about the battle that perhaps we didn't know before. As we say, 'Steel doesn't lie.'"

The explorers also went lower to over 7,000 meters to look for one other vessel —a carrier, called Gambier Bay —but couldn’t find it. They didn't look for the other destroyer, USS Hoel, due to lack of data, reports CNN.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The remains of the USS Samuel B Roberts, a US navy destroyer escort sunk during World War II, were found by explorers below the Pacific Ocean, split in half and lodged on a slope.

The remains of the USS Samuel B Roberts, a US navy destroyer escort sunk during World War II, were found by explorers below the Pacific Ocean, split in half and lodged on a slope. Also known as the Sammy B, the world's deepest shipwreck was located on June 22 by Texan financer Victor Vescovo, an explorer who has previously completed expeditions to the world's deepest points. It lies at a depth of 6,895 meters (22,621 feet) in the Philippine Sea. It was out of sight for nearly 80 years, until now. The previous deepest wreck that was ever identified and discovered was the USS Johnston, found last year by Vescovo. It lies at 6,469 meters. Samuel B. Roberts was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort that was commissioned on April 28, 1944. It went down during the Battle of Samar in the Philippine Sea in October 1944. The vessel is remembered for its heroic battle against three Japanese battleships, including the Yamato, said to be the largest ever constructed. The US ship carried 224 crewmembers, 89 of whom were killed. Captain Robert W. Copeland was one of the survivors. Part of the dive on the Sammy B. It appears her bow hit the seafloor with some force, causing some buckling. Her stern also separated about 5 meters on impact, but the whole wreck was together. This small ship took on the finest of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the end. pic.twitter.com/fvi6uB0xUQ — Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 24, 2022 × The ship "fought ferociously even though she was completely outclassed by the Japanese battleships and heavy cruisers she went up against," Vescovo told CNN. "The heroism of her captain and crew is legendary in the Navy, and it was a great honor to find her final resting place. I think it helps bring closure to the story of the ship, for the families of those who were lost and those who served on her. I think that having a ship vanish into the depths, never to be seen again, can leave those affiliated with the ship feeling a sense of emptiness.” "Finding the wrecks can help bring closure, and also bring details about the battle that perhaps we didn't know before. As we say, 'Steel doesn't lie.'" The explorers also went lower to over 7,000 meters to look for one other vessel —a carrier, called Gambier Bay —but couldn’t find it. They didn't look for the other destroyer, USS Hoel, due to lack of data, reports CNN. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

World's deepest shipwreck discovered around 23,000 feet under sea

An F-35C Lightning II aircraft, which had crashed while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea in January, has been recovered, the US Navy said. &nbsp;

A robot submarine attached rigging lines to the long-range joint strike stealth fighter. It was then raised from a depth of 3,780 meters (12,400 feet) using a ship's crane on Wednesday, the 7th Fleet said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-humanitarian-relief-biden-administration-offers-temporary-protected-status-to-ukrainians-in-us-458809">Biden admin offers 'Temporary Protected Status' to Ukrainians in US</a>

The recovery has calmed several nerves in the US as there were concerns that China or Russia may try to reach it first to gain access to the advanced technology. It may have been helpful in either replicating or learning how to defeat it. &nbsp;

When it crashed on January 24, the multimillion-dollar aircraft was conducting 'routine flight operations' from the USS Carl Vinson, the 7th Fleet said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-end-ukraines-invasion-us-senator-calls-for-russian-president-vladimir-putins-assassination-458861">US senator calls for Russian President Vladimir Putin's assassination</a>

The wreckage will be sent to a nearby base to find out what caused the accident and may also be sent onwards to the continental United States, the fleet said. The exact location of the accident has been kept secret. &nbsp;

The aircraft carrier also suffered superficial damage and was able to resume operations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

An F-35C Lightning II aircraft, which had crashed while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea in January, has been recovered, the US Navy said.

An F-35C Lightning II aircraft, which had crashed while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea in January, has been recovered, the US Navy said. A robot submarine attached rigging lines to the long-range joint strike stealth fighter. It was then raised from a depth of 3,780 meters (12,400 feet) using a ship's crane on Wednesday, the 7th Fleet said. Also Read: Biden admin offers 'Temporary Protected Status' to Ukrainians in US The recovery has calmed several nerves in the US as there were concerns that China or Russia may try to reach it first to gain access to the advanced technology. It may have been helpful in either replicating or learning how to defeat it. When it crashed on January 24, the multimillion-dollar aircraft was conducting 'routine flight operations' from the USS Carl Vinson, the 7th Fleet said. Also Read: US senator calls for Russian President Vladimir Putin's assassination The wreckage will be sent to a nearby base to find out what caused the accident and may also be sent onwards to the continental United States, the fleet said. The exact location of the accident has been kept secret. The aircraft carrier also suffered superficial damage and was able to resume operations. (With inputs from agencies)

Finally, US Navy recovers crashed F-35C Lightning II aircraft from South China Sea

Amid tensions with Iran, the United States Navy has announced to deploy a fleet of unmanned drones to the Gulf region to patrol vast swaths of the region’s waters and improve deterrence against attacks.

The region is essential for global trade, especially oil supplies that flow out of the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said that 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, would be launched with allied nations.

He expects the latest deployment to dramatically multiply the surveillance capacities of the US Navy, enabling it to keep a close eye on waters critical to the flow of global oil and shipping.

“By using unmanned systems, we can just simply see more. They’re high-reliability and remove the human factor,” Vice Admiral Cooper told Associated Press on the sidelines of the Unmanned System Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Cooper hopes that the drone force, using artificial intelligence, would be operational by the summer of 2023 to put more “eyes and ears on the water.”

The 5th Fleet includes the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of all oil passes. It also stretches as far as the Red Sea reaches near the Suez Canal, the waterway in Egypt linking the Middle East to the Mediterranean, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen.

“It’s been well-established that Iran is the No 1 in the primary regional threat we are addressing,” Cooper said.

There have been high-seas confrontations between US and Iranian forces with attacks on oil tankers in Gulf waters in 2019. Iran denied accusations of carrying out the attacks.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid tensions with Iran, the United States Navy has announced to deploy a fleet of unmanned drones to the Gulf region to patrol vast swaths of the region’s waters and improve deterrence against attacks.

Amid tensions with Iran, the United States Navy has announced to deploy a fleet of unmanned drones to the Gulf region to patrol vast swaths of the region’s waters and improve deterrence against attacks. The region is essential for global trade, especially oil supplies that flow out of the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said that 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, would be launched with allied nations. He expects the latest deployment to dramatically multiply the surveillance capacities of the US Navy, enabling it to keep a close eye on waters critical to the flow of global oil and shipping. “By using unmanned systems, we can just simply see more. They’re high-reliability and remove the human factor,” Vice Admiral Cooper told Associated Press on the sidelines of the Unmanned System Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. Cooper hopes that the drone force, using artificial intelligence, would be operational by the summer of 2023 to put more “eyes and ears on the water.” The 5th Fleet includes the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of all oil passes. It also stretches as far as the Red Sea reaches near the Suez Canal, the waterway in Egypt linking the Middle East to the Mediterranean, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off Yemen. “It’s been well-established that Iran is the No 1 in the primary regional threat we are addressing,” Cooper said. There have been high-seas confrontations between US and Iranian forces with attacks on oil tankers in Gulf waters in 2019. Iran denied accusations of carrying out the attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid tensions with Iran, US Navy plans to deploy Middle East drone force

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