Navy: Iran ‘very directly involved’ in Houthi attacks
Egypt’s Suez Canal, a vital route fo r JERUSALEM — Iran is energy and “very directly involved” cargo coming in ship attacks that Yemen’s from Asia and Houthi rebels have carried the Middle out during Israel’s war East onward against Hamas, the U.S. to Europe. Navy’s top Mideast comThe mander told The AssociHouthis, a ated Press on Monday. Shiite rebel group that’s
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, held Sanaa since 2014 and the head of the Navy’s 5th been at war with a Saudi-led Fleet, stopped short of say- coalition backing Yemen’s ing Tehran directed individ- exiled government since ual attacks by the Houthis 2015, link their attacks to in the Red Sea and the Gulf the Israel-Hamas war. Howof Aden. ever, the ships they’ve tar
H o w e v e r , Cooper geted increasingly have tenacknowledged that attacks uous links to Israel — or none associated with Iran have at all. expanded from previously In recent days, the U.S. threatening just the Persian has launched seven rounds Gulf and its Strait of Hor- of airstrikes on Houthi milimuz into waters across the tary sites, targeting air bases wider Middle East. under the rebels’ control
“Clearly, the Houthi and suspected missile actions, probably in terms launch sites. of their attacks on merchant However, risks for the shipping, are the most signif- global economy remain icant that we’ve seen in two as many ships continue generations,” he told the AP to bypass that route for a in a telephone interview. longer trip around Africa’s
“The facts simply are that southern tip. That meant they’re attacking the inter- lower revenue for Egypt national community; thus, through the Suez Canal, a the international response vital source of hard currency I think you’ve seen.” for the country’s troubled
Iran’s mission to the economy, as well as higher United Nations and the costs for shipping that could Houthi leadership in push up global inflation. Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, As Cooper took command didn’t respond to a request of the 5th Fleet in 2021, the for comment. threat to shipping focused
However, the Houthis primarily around the Perlater claimed to have sian Gulf and its narrow attacked a U.S.-flagged ves- mouth, the Strait of Horsel, something that the 5th muz, through which a fifth Fleet dismissed as “patently of all oil traded passes. false.” A series of attacks blamed
Since November, the Ira- on Iran and ship seizures nian-backed Houthis have by Tehran followed the collaunched at least 34 attacks lapse of Iran’s nuclear deal on shipping through the with world powers. waterways leading up to