Iran deploys warship to Red Sea following U.S. actions against Houthi boats
As tensions escalate, Iran has dispatched a warship to the Red Sea, a day after the U.S. Navy destroyed and sank three Houthi small boats.
According to Iranian state media, the Alborz destroyer passed through the Bab El-Mandeb strait, a vital maritime and commerce shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
This move comes after U.S. military officials reported that U.S. warships responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel by sinking three boats carrying Houthi militants.
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The U.S. Central Command stated that Houthi militants were attacking a commercial vessel belonging to the Maersk shipping company, which led to U.S. Navy helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and destroyer USS Gravely returning fire in self-defense. Following the incident, a Houthi spokesperson called on Yemenis, Arabs, and Muslims to be “ready for all options in confronting the American escalation.”
The Red Sea has witnessed nearly 20 attacks on commercial ships since November, prompting some shipping companies to abandon the route altogether.
In response, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect the sea lanes, with support from Greece and eight other countries including Britain and Italy.
Former U.S. diplomat and military officer Joel Rayburn cautioned Iran about its Red Sea presence, emphasising that Iran’s intent is to enable Houthi attacks against international shipping and the global economy.