An American Official: The Islamic Republic 'Probably' Played a Role in the Hijacking in the Red Sea

According to an American official, Yemeni rebels who hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea last Sunday are supported and backed by the forces of the Islamic Republic and have likely been trained by them. An unnamed American defense official told the Associated Press that a review of new images from the Houthi helicopter attack on the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham Rami Ongar, shows 'all signs' of the Islamic Republic's involvement in this operation. He added, 'All signs indicate that these individuals have been trained by a professional military force, which could clearly be the Islamic Republic. It seems we have not seen anything like this in the past.' The Houthis seized the cargo ship on Sunday, November 19, while it was en route from Turkey to India. Armed Yemeni rebels, dressed in commando-style bulletproof vests and military attire, landed on the ship and quickly took control. The Houthi militants on the deck of the commercial ship 'Galaxy Leader' have been described by Israeli defense forces as 'a very significant incident with global ramifications.' This hijacking occurs in one of the world's major shipping routes while the Israel-Hamas war continues into its second month. The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to seize ships belonging to Israeli companies. Immediately following the hijacking, Israel became suspicious of the Islamic Republic's involvement in this operation. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned 'the Islamic Republic's attack on an international ship.' The statement said, 'This ship, which belongs to a British company and is operated by a Japanese company, was hijacked under the direction of Iran by Houthi militants from Yemen.' All 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader are of various nationalities, including Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Philippines, and Mexico, with no Israelis among them. Following this incident, two commercial ships changed their passage routes through the Red Sea. According to shipping data and the British maritime security company Ambrey, these two ships are linked to the same maritime group that owns the Galaxy Leader, the ship hijacked by the Houthis. The Houthis, allies of the Islamic Republic, confirmed the seizure of this ship, describing it as Israeli. A senior spokesman for the Japanese government confirmed on Monday, November 29, the seizure of the Galaxy Leader under the direction of 'Nippon Yusen' and called for the release of the ship. Japan also urged the authorities of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran to work for the immediate release of the ship and crew. Houthi leaders stated last week that their forces would carry out more attacks against Israel and could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, the Galaxy Leader was hijacked near the west of the port of Hodeidah, which is under Houthi control. Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, condemned this action, describing the hijacking as an act by 'pirates' in international waters that threatens law and order. The President of Israel called the Red Sea hijacking an attack on Israel and international order. The Islamic Republic denied involvement in the Houthis' hijacking. The hijacking of the 'British ship' by the Houthis; Israel held the Islamic Republic responsible. The U.S. Navy shot down a drone launched from Yemen. A resolution by American senators on the necessity of confronting the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces. The Islamic Republic again denied any involvement in the actions of its proxy groups. The Houthis of Yemen claim to have fired ballistic missiles at Israel again.