The Biden administration escalated its rhetoric against Tehran on Friday, claiming that Iran was "deeply involved" in the planning of strikes by Yemen's Houthi rebels against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This came amid the escalating crisis surrounding international maritime activities.
White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that Iran is supplying the weapons, money, training, and "tactical intelligence" needed to carry out the strikes along the vital sea corridor, citing recently disclosed American intelligence.
"The Houthis have been able to launch attacks against Israel and maritime targets thanks to Iranian support throughout the Gaza crisis, even though Iran has frequently delegated operational decision-making authority to the Houthis," Watson added.
"Unmanned aerial systems, land attack cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles that have been used in attacks against maritime vessels, including commercial vessels with no known links to Israel, and in attacks against Israel since October are among the advanced weapons systems that Iran has transferred to the Houthis since 2015," she disclosed.
Watson stated that "the Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels" in the absence of continuous Iranian help.
According to the US assessment, Iran, which has long supported the Yemeni rebels, has given the Houthis unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. These weapons have been used in recent raids on military and commercial boats as well as attempted attacks on Israel.
Watson stated, "There is no reason to think that Iran is attempting to talk the Houthis out of this dangerous behavior."
An increasing number of businesses have decided to stop operating along the main commerce route as a result of the Houthi campaign.
To guard the worldwide transportation route across the Red Sea, the US formed a naval alliance. The Biden administration did not, however, go back on its decision to stop designating the Houthis as a terrorist group. US officials claim that Washington is still thinking about making the change.
Greece, meanwhile, declared on Thursday that it would be joining the naval alliance headed by the US.
Australia also declared on Thursday that it will not be sending any warships or aircraft, but rather 11 soldiers to assist the coalition under the name Operation Prosperity Guardian.
To guard the worldwide transportation route across the Red Sea, the US formed a naval alliance. The Biden administration did not, however, go back on its decision to stop designating the Houthis as a terrorist group. US officials claim that Washington is still thinking about making the change.
Greece, meanwhile, declared on Thursday that it would be joining the naval alliance headed by the US.
Australia also declared on Thursday that it will not be sending any warships or aircraft, but rather 11 soldiers to assist the coalition under the name Operation Prosperity Guardian.
According to Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Australia's military must remain focused on the Pacific.
Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain were initially members of the task group that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed on Monday.
In the Gaza war that has been raging between Israel and terror group Hamas since October 7, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, claim that their drone and missile attacks on passing container ships are in support of the Palestinian people. The rebel group in Yemen had declared that it would attack any ship that was bound for Israel or associated with it; however, other ships that seemed to have no relation to Israel were also attacked.
In order to discuss further elements of the new mission that have not been made public, a US defense official stated on condition of anonymity on Monday that many other nations have also agreed to participate in the operation but would like not to be publicly named.
Following a horrific attack by Hamas on Israel that claimed the lives of almost 1,200 individuals, the majority of them civilians, war broke out. At least 240 persons were kidnapped by terrorists who broke through the border into the Gaza Strip and took hostages inside the Palestinian territory.
In response, Israel launched a military operation that it claims is intended to destroy Hamas and release the hostages.
Numerous shipping companies have been compelled to reroute their vessels due to the Houthi attacks in the waters leading to the Suez Canal, which serves as a chokepoint for around 10% of world trade.
In order to address the security situation, companies have instructed their ships to remain in place and avoid entering the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebels promised not to be discouraged by the naval coalition and pledged to continue their attacks on ships the day after Austin announced the task force mission.
Additionally, Houthis have fired drones and missiles at southern Israel, but air defense systems have intercepted them.
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