The United States accuses Iran of “deep involvement” in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
The United States has accused Iran of being deeply involved in attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea, amid reports that another Israeli commercial ship was attacked.
Tehran’s support for the Yemeni rebel group includes weapons and tactical intelligence, the White House said on Friday, as it presented newly declassified intelligence that it claims shows Iran’s involvement in the attacks. Iran has repeatedly denied its involvement.
“We know that Iran has been heavily involved in planning operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea,” White House National Security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
He added, “This is consistent with Iran’s long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis’ destabilizing actions in the region.”
“This is an international challenge that requires collective action,” Watson said.
The White House said visual analysis showed nearly identical traits between Iranian KAS-04 drones and unmanned vehicles used by the Houthis, as well as consistent traits between Iranian and Houthi missiles.
Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the White House allegations.
Our correspondent, Resul Sardar, from Djibouti, said that the Houthis confirmed that they had developed their own intelligence facilities over the years “which have proven to be very effective.”
However, US officials insist that the Houthis do not have the radars and are relying on technology provided by Iran. Sardar added: “Otherwise, these missiles fired by the Houthis will fall into the water.”
Naval power
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen including the capital, Sanaa, launched dozens of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in what the group described as a show of support for Palestinians facing Israeli bombing in Gaza.
On Saturday, a Liberian-flagged chemical products tanker became the latest ship to be attacked, although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. British maritime security company Ambrey said the ship was hit by an unmanned aerial vehicle 200 kilometers (120 miles) southwest of Veraval, India.This led to a fire that was extinguished without causing any casualties.
“Some structural damage was also reported and some water was taken on board. The ship belonged to Israel. The company said on its website that it last called Saudi Arabia and was bound for India at that time.
The Houthi attacks have effectively redirected much of global trade by forcing shipping companies to sail around Africa, imposing higher costs and delays in the delivery of energy, food, and consumer goods.
More than a dozen shipping companies, including Italian-Swiss giant Mediterranean Shipping, French CMA CGM, and Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk, have suspended transit through the Red Sea due to the attacks.
Washington announced earlier this week the launch of a multinational force that includes more than 20 countries to protect ships crossing the Red Sea.
Last week, a US destroyer equipped with guided missiles shot down 14 attack drones believed to have been launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
The Houthi leadership warned that it would respond to “American battleships” and “American interests” if it was attacked.
Tehran said it supports the Houthis politically, but denies sending weapons to the group.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry last month rejected Israeli accusations that the Houthis were acting under its direction when they seized an Israeli-owned ship and denied responsibility for a drone shot down by a US guided-missile destroyer.
The Houthis, who have effectively maintained a UN-brokered truce with the Saudi-backed government since last year, rose up against the Yemeni government in 2014, sparking a devastating civil war.
