The US is sending one of its aircraft carriers to patrol off the coast of Yemen after reports that an Iranian naval convoy is transporting arms to Yemeni Houthi rebels.

A BBC report stated that while Iran had been warned not to arm the rebels by Washington, the aircraft carrier would not engage the convoy directly.

The US naval presence is intended to gather intelligence for the Saudi-led coalition about any maritime activity, as well as aid arms shipments to government-friendly forces fighting the Houthis.

A Saudi-led air strike destroyed an arms depot in the Yemen capital of Sanaa on 20 April.