Secretary of State Antony Blinken has admitted that Iran was behind the “biggest attack” by Yemen-based Houthi rebels targeting U.S. interests in the Red Sea, and warned “there will be consequences” if such attacks continue.
“We had the biggest attack just yesterday, aided and abetted by Iran,” Blinken told reporters at Bahrain International Airport in Manama. “We’ve been clear with more than 20 countries that if these continue, as they did yesterday, there will be consequences,” Blinken added. “The support [Iran is] providing to the Houthis needs to stop. It’s not in their interest for the conflict to expand.”
Blinken highlighted that the employment of unmanned aerial vehicles in recent attacks, reportedly facilitated by Iran, is causing tangible harm to individuals. He cited Iran’s provision of “technology, equipment, intelligence, information,” emphasizing the real-world consequences of such actions, as reported by VOA. Blinken’s remarks followed discussions with Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, although he refrained from specifying potential consequences if the attacks persist.
A resolution put forth by the United States and adopted by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday demands an immediate cessation of the Houthi attacks. The resolution seeks to address the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis, emphasizing the need for a halt to the attacks. The intricacies of potential repercussions were not explicitly outlined by Blinken during his post-talks statement with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The Houthi rebels assert that their attacks are directed at ships associated with or bound for Israel. They claim solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, framing their actions as supportive of the broader war efforts. The motivations behind the attacks, as stated by the Houthis, are grounded in their alignment with the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region.
In response to Tuesday’s multifaceted attack, the U.S. Navy intercepted and neutralized 21 Houthi missiles and drones. The military classified the incident as a “complex attack,” involving various elements. Central Command’s report outlined the composition of the assault, including 18 one-way attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile. The intended targets were international shipping lanes frequented by numerous vessels, as per CNN’s coverage of the military statement.
The cumulative tally of Houthi-launched attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea reached 26 as of Tuesday. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the Central Command’s commander, clarified that the recent attacks are largely unrelated to Israel. Despite the frequency of these incidents, their connections to Israel are disputed, with Vice Adm. Brad Cooper asserting that the majority of the latest attacks lack direct ties to the Israeli conflict.
Since December 9, the attacks have become a near-daily occurrence, targeting ships associated with 55 nations. The connections include factors such as the nationality of the crews, the ships’ origins and destinations, or the ownership of the vessels. The complex web of variables surrounding these attacks underscores the multifaceted nature of the ongoing maritime security concerns in the Red Sea region.
{Matzav.com}
