The United States suspect that the MV Behshad is being used as a “spy ship” to provide the Houthis with real-time information ahead of potential attacks. In response, Iran posted a video on the Iranian army’s Telegram channel on Sunday, warning the Americans about potential targeting of the MV Behshad.
What’s really going on?
Built in 1999, the MV Behshad is registered as a merchant vessel belonging to the Rahbaran Omid Darya Ship Management Company. It only attracted attention in 2021, when it replaced another Iranian vessel, the Saviz, in the Red Sea.
The Saviz had long been suspected of aiding arms smuggling and supplying intelligence to the Houthis, but had to be towed to Iran after a mysterious explosion on April 6, 2024. The U.S, while not directly targeting the vessel, is keeping a keen eye on its activities.
What role does the MV Behshad play?
U.S. officials and analysts suspect her of providing real-time intelligence for Houthi attacks against other ships in the Red Sea, and serving as a forward operating base for her commandos.
Just before the start of the US airstrikes (February 3 and 4, 2024), the Behshad headed South into the Gulf of Aden and anchored off a Chinese military base in Djibouti, East Africa. Since January 11, the MV Behshad had been on standby 100 kilometers East of the port of Djibouti, according to ship tracking and maritime intelligence service MariTrace.
As the map below shows, the vessel, identified as a merchant ship, is following erratic routes, more akin to the pattern of a military vessel on patrol.
According to a well-known economic pattern, a merchant ship is either on a straight course or at anchor. It is never sailing in a “box”, offshore.
“Not only is this position less suitable for disembarking security teams protecting Iranian ships in a dangerous area, but it also coincides with an increase in Houthi attacks in the Gulf of Aden,” Jeremy Binnie, Middle East defense specialist with global intelligence firm Janes, told RFE/RL.
The MV Behshad’s AIS track shows her navigating erratic courses in what could look like patrol “boxes”.
Two options become apparent
Firstly, the ship could be involved in transshipment operations to transfer equipment (weapons, ammunition, personnel, boats, etc). In this case, it would act as a mother skiff. Aurora Intel said that small boats regularly visit the Behshad.
“Why are small boats constantly going back and forth between a navy-watched cargo ship and the Behshad? “They’re carrying people, not cargo.
Secondly, the Beshad could also be engaged in patrol and intelligence operations to help target and guide strikes against vessels in the area. Other sources indicate that fishing vessels would also be used for target designation.
It should not be forgotten that the Houthis do not control any coastline in the Gulf of Aden, which makes it much more difficult for them to find and verify the ships they want to target in this area.”
Disturbing coincidence
While Houthi actions were initially contained to two areas off Hodeida and the central Bab el Mandeb, an extension of the threat towards the Gulf of Aden has been observed over the past few weeks.
The X @detresfa_ account has tracked maritime events linked to Iran and Houthi attacks since the interception of the Galaxy Leader by Houthi commandos on November 19. This graphic confirms the recent extension of the threat in the Gulf of Aden, linked to the presence of the MV Behshad.
Willie wonka
Look at what is now anchored beside it and what port it came from. A little strange to say the least and how it is shown as “Not Israel Linked”.