Tensions escalate in the Red Sea: The Iranian regime deployed a warship after a new Houthi attack

he Iranian warship Alborz It entered the Red Sea through the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, the news agency reported on Monday TasneemAt a time when tensions are rising in this important waterway.

“The destroyer Alborz entered the Red Sea (…) passing through Bab al-Mandab.”He pointed out that it separates the Horn of Africa region from the Arabian Peninsula TasneemWithout specifying the reasons for publication.

He added that the Iranian naval fleet was operating in the region To secure sea routes, Repel piratesamong other purposes, since 2009.”

In early December, the United States established a multinational maritime task force for the Red Sea after a series of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, allies of the Iranian regime, against commercial ships, forcing shipping companies to suspend navigation in the region. .

The Houthis claim that the attacks came in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is fighting the Palestinian Hamas movement in the wake of the October 7 attacks on Israeli territory.

The rebels began launching a barrage of missiles and drones against southern Israel two months ago As well as against ships flying the flag of the Jewish state or owned by Israeli companies in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

According to the International Chamber of Shipping. 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea.

British Defense Minister, Monday, Grant ShappsHe said that his country is “ready to take direct action” against the Houthis “to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”

The United States accused Iran of being deeply involved in the Houthi attacks. But the Islamic Republic denies these allegations and claims that the Houthi rebels were acting on their own.

The military spokesman for the Yemeni rebels said in a statement: Yahya is fastIt announced that at least ten of its members were killed on Sunday in an exchange of fire with Washington forces. It also claimed responsibility for the operation against the ship Maersk Hansgu, flying the Singapore flag, which was attacked near the port of Hodeidah, one of the ships belonging to the coalition forces. The most important in Yemen

The Maersk Hansgho ship warned of two attacks in the Red Sea within less than 24 hours, both of which were attended by the US-led maritime coalition, of which the United Kingdom is also a part.

The first happened last night when the US Navy's Central Command (CENTCOM) reported it It shot down two anti-ship missiles Which was targeting a container ship that was launched from rebel-controlled territory.

But the trigger came in the early hours of this morning when four small boats approached the merchant ship to board it.

The US Central Command explained today in a lengthy statement that “at 6:30 am local time (3:30 GMT), the container ship Maersk Hangzhou issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours stating that it had been attacked by four small ships belonging to the Houthis.” Supported by the Houthis. By Iran.

The US Navy noted that after this exchange of fire, “US helicopters responded to the distress call and are issuing verbal calls to the small boats, “They fired on the American helicopters with crew weapons and small arms.”

American helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats and killing their crews. The fourth boat fled the area. US Central Command concluded in the statement that “no personal or material damage occurred.”

After suspending transit through that region, the Danish shipping company Maersk decided a few days ago to resume its transit through the Red Sea when the United States announced the establishment of the new maritime alliance to defend international maritime security.

(With information from AFP and EFE)