The Wall Street Journal: Israel Strikes Russia-Iran Arms Smuggling Route in the Caspian Sea
For the first time in its history, Israel has launched strikes against the Caspian Sea, targeting Iran's port of Enzeli (Anzali), located 1,300 kilometers away, as well as a maritime hub used by Russia and Iran to transfer ammunition, drones, and other military equipment. The operation aims to disrupt the Russia-Iran supply line and expose vulnerabilities in Iran’s defenses along the Caspian Sea.
This route is particularly crucial for supplying Shahed-series drones produced by both countries: Russia uses them to strike targets within Ukraine, while Iran deploys them against targets in the Persian Gulf region. The attack damaged Iran’s naval headquarters and several vessels; meanwhile, the Caspian Sea also serves as a vital corridor for grain and oil transportation. The timing of this strike coincides with the attack on the South Pars gas field.
In 2023, over 300,000 artillery shells and one million bullets were transported via this route. Even under U.S. sanctions, these vessels frequently kept their transponders turned off.
Russia condemned the attack. Israel did not publicly mention Russia, and reports suggest it will refrain from targeting Russian vessels. Experts believe that alternative ports in the Caspian Sea could be used for transporting such supplies, but temporary disruptions are likely in the short term.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860626609212428/
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