Story highlights More than 2,000 weapons were found on a ship off the coast of Oman

They may have been sent by Iran and headed for Houthi rebels in Yemen, U.S. Navy says

They were discovered by an Australian vessel that's part of a multinational naval partnership

The U.N. has arms embargoes imposed on Somalia and rebels in Yemen

(CNN) An Australian naval ship has seized a large arms cache that may have come from Iran and headed to Yemen by way of Somalia.

The Australian Navy said that one of its ships patrolling the region, the HMAS Darwin, intercepted a small, stateless fishing vessel about 170 nautical miles off the coast of Oman when it made the discovery.

On board they found more than 2,000 pieces of weaponry -- including 1,989 AK-47 assault rifles and 100 rocket-propelled grenades.

According to a U.S. assessment, the weapons were believed to be initially sent from Iran and were likely intended for Houthi rebels in Yemen, Lt. Ian McConnaughey with the U.S. Navy told CNN.

U.S. Central Command is still gathering more information to determine the arms' final destination, McConnaughey said.

Read More