US warships are reportedly heading to Yemeni waters to intercept an Iranian arms shipment

WASHINGTON (AP) - US Navy officials say the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is steaming toward the waters off Yemen and will join other American ships prepared to intercept any Iranian vessels carrying weapons to the Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen, the AP reports.

The US Navy has been beefing up its presence in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Arabian Sea amid reports that a convoy of Iranian ships may be headed toward Yemen to arm the Houthis.

The Houthis are battling government-backed fighters in an effort to take control of the country.

The UN Security Council passed an arms embargo on aid to the Houthi rebels on April 14th. Iran is also prohibited from exporting weapons under a 2006 UNSC resolution.

These Iranian shipments would violate multiple standing UNSC measures while aiding rebels who are currently fighting a Saudi-led coalition. The coalition consists of several Arab countries and is receiving logistical and intelligence support from the US.

The coalition is attempting to restore Yemen's internationally recognized government, which was largely disbanded when the Houthis pushed through the capital of Sana and into southwestern Yemen in late March.

There are about nine US ships in the region, including cruisers and destroyers carrying teams that can board and search other vessels, according to the AP.

The officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ship movement on the record.

More to come ...