The ramped-up US Navy presence near Yemen is aimed at helping ensure the "free flow of commerce" and the "freedom of navigation" in the area - the latest line from the White House as instability in the region continues.
Speaking on Tuesday Josh Earnest swerved questions about whether U.S. warships would intercept Iranian arms shipments to Yemeni rebels.
However, he did stress that any such arms supply would violate a UN resolution.
IN: The specific...'
OUT: ...the UN'
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