Rescue operation ends for two Navy SEALs now presumed dead after mission to seize Iran weapons

The 10-day search-and-rescue mission for two missing Navy SEALs has now become a recovery operation with the U.S. special forces members now presumed to have died in mission to confiscate Iranian-made weapons on a ship in the Arabian Sea, according to U.S. officials. 

The U.S., Japan and Spain, with the assistance of several oceanographic research organizations, searched more than 21,000 square miles to try to locate the men after they went missing on Jan. 11, but the service members "have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased," U.S. Central Command said Sunday.

No additional information, including their names, have been released out of respect for the families of the Navy SEALs.

"We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example," CENTCOM Cmdr. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said. "Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time."

The men went missing during a mission targeting a ship off the coast of Somalia that was illegally transporting Iranian-made weapons to Houthi terrorists in Yemen. 

The SEALs boarded the vessel in rough seas the evening of Jan. 11, but two service members went missing after high waves knocked off one SEAL and his teammate went to rescue him, according to the Associated Press. 

The mission to confiscate items from the vessel resulted in the seizure of "propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components," according to CENTCOM.

The Houthis in Yemen have increased their attacks against international merchant ships in the Red Sea since Oct. 7, 2023, in support of Hamas in its fight against Israel.

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