Israel-Gaza war: US says Iran ‘deeply involved’ in Houthi ship attacks in Red Sea

The White House said that Tehran has provided drones and missiles to the Yemeni rebels as well as tactical intelligence

The Houthis have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels in the Red Sea

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A container ship crosses the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea in Ismailia, Egypt, on December 22. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:02pm, 23 Dec 2023

The United States on Friday accused Iran of close involvement in attacks on commercial ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, stepping up the tone as Washington considers tougher measures including possible force.

The White House publicly released US intelligence as the Iranian-linked Yemeni insurgents persist with ship strikes they say are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is battling Hamas militants.

The White House said that Tehran’s clerical state has provided drones and missiles to the Houthis as well as tactical intelligence.

“We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said.

“We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to dissuade the Houthis from this reckless behaviour,” she said.

The Houthis, who control vast parts of the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest country including the capital Sanaa, have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels, according to the Pentagon.