Viktor Bout is brokering weapons sales to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, per The Wall Street Journal. Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea since last year. AdvertisementThe notorious Russian arms dealer, who was exchanged for US basketball star Brittney Griner two years ago, is trying to sell weapons to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to The Wall Street Journal. According to an April Defense Intelligence Agency report, container shipping through the Red Sea has declined massively, alternative shipping routes are increasing voyage costs, and insurance premiums for Red Sea transits have spiked. While the weapons deal reportedly orchestrated by Viktor Bout does not involve anti-ship missiles, it would still represent a notable Russian intervention in the ongoing Red Sea crisis.

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Persons: Viktor Bout, Brittney, Houthi, —, Griner, Louise Nevill, Marsh, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: Street, Service, US, Wall Street, Kremlin ultranationalist, Kremlin, Business, April Defense Intelligence Agency, Reuters, Ukraine Locations: Iran, Yemen, Red, Europe, East, Africa, Russia, Moscow, Israel, Gaza