US WARSHIP HEADS TO YEMENI WATERS; COULD BLOCK IRAN WEAPONS

Apr 20, 2:57 PM EDT US WARSHIP HEADS TO YEMENI WATERS; COULD BLOCK IRAN WEAPONS  BY LOLITA C. BALDOR   ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Steve Helber BUY AP PHOTO REPRINTS LATEST NEWS LEADER OF AL-QAIDA-LINKED GROUP IN RUSSIA'S CAUCASUS KILLED  MOSCOW DISMISSES NORWAY'S PROTESTS OVER ARCTIC ISLANDS VISIT  ENVIRONMENTALIST FLEES RUSSIA, CITING FEARS FOR CHILDREN  NORWAY: RUSSIA MINISTER VISIT TO ARCTIC ISLAND 'REGRETTABLE'  PUTIN CONFIDENT ON ECONOMY, OFFERS TO MEND TIES WITH WEST  THE LATEST: PUTIN WANTS REFUND IF FRENCH DON'T DELIVER SHIP  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is steaming toward the waters off Yemen to beef up security and join other American ships that are prepared to intercept any Iranian vessels carrying weapons to the Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen. Navy officials said Monday that the Roosevelt was moving through the Arabian Sea. The U.S. Navy has been beefing up its presence in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Arabian Sea amid reports that a convoy of about eight Iranian ships is heading toward Yemen and possibly carrying arms for the Houthis. Navy officials said there are about nine U.S. warships in the region, including cruisers and destroyers carrying teams that can board and search other vessels. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ship movement on the record. The Houthis are battling government-backed fighters in an effort to take control of the country. The U.S. has been providing logistical and intelligence support to Saudi Arabia-led coalition launching airstrikes against the Houthis. That air campaign is now in its fourth week. The U.S. Navy generally conducts consensual boardings of ships when needed, including to combat piracy around Africa and the region. So far, however, U.S. naval personnel have not boarded any Iranian vessels since the Yemen conflict began. White House spokesman Josh Earnest would not comment specifically on any Navy movements in Yemeni waters, but said the U.S. has concerns about Iran's "continued support for the Houthis. "We have seen evidence that the Iranians are supplying weapons and other armed support to the Houthis in Yemen. That support will only contribute to greater violence in that country. These are exactly the kind of destabilizing activities that we have in mind when we raise concerns about Iran's destabilizing activities in the Middle East." He said "the Iranians are acutely aware of our concerns for their continued support of the Houthis by sending them large shipments of weapons." Associated Press reporter Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this report. © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.