The US Central Command announced today (Monday) the death of two American sailors, which it said were missing while confronting a boat carrying Iranian weapons, which it described as advanced, earlier this month.

The US command said in a statement that the two sailors who went missing during the operation off the coast of Somalia on January 11 are now dead.

The statement added: “We combed 21,000 square miles in search of the two missing sailors, with Japanese and Spanish assistance, but to no avail.”

Last week, Central Command said it seized a boat that was transporting “advanced and lethal” Iranian weapons to the Houthis in Yemen.

It said in a statement: “On January 11, 2024... during the night, US Central Command naval forces seized a boat that was transporting, in violation of the laws, advanced lethal aid from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen as part of the ongoing Houthi campaign of attacks on ships.” International commercial shipping, adding that among the seized items were propulsion and guidance devices and warheads for medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles.

Today’s statement quoted General Michael Corella, Commander of Central Command, saying, “We mourn the loss of two Marines, and we will forever be proud of their sacrifices.”