A U.S. jury convicted Pakistani national Muhammad Pahlawan for smuggling Iranian weapons to Yemen’s Houthis via maritime routes near Somalia’s coast.Pahlawan, 49, was found guilty in Virginia of supporting terrorism and aiding Iran’s weapons program.
He faces sentencing on September 22.The case began January 11, 2024, when U.S. forces intercepted his unflagged dhow near Somalia, discovering ballistic missile parts and warheads onboard.
Officials said the weapons matched those used by Houthis in Red Sea attacks after the October 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel.
Pahlawan lied during the operation and threatened his crew with violence if they cooperated with U.S. authorities, according to court evidence.
He coordinated multiple smuggling trips with IRGC-linked Iranians, receiving payments and coordinates for offshore arms transfers between August 2023 and January 2024.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Justice Department with investigative support from federal and military agencies including the FBI and NCIS.
