Armed Attackers Assault a Ship 50 Miles East of Oman

The British Commercial Shipping Operations Office announced on Thursday that it received a report of "four to five armed individuals" attacking a ship located about 50 nautical miles east of the coast of Oman and boarding it. Reuters reports that the armed attackers were dressed in military black uniforms and wore black masks. The British Commercial Shipping Operations Office, which provides maritime security information, stated that it could not establish further contact with the ship and that officials are still investigating the incident. Iranian-backed Houthis have attacked commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea at least 26 times since late November, with the most recent attack occurring on January 9. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that the ongoing attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea would have "consequences." Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen to immediately cease attacks on ships in the Red Sea and supported the U.S.-led task force to defend the vessels. Fifteen members of the Security Council voted in favor of the U.S. resolution with 11 votes for, four abstentions, and no votes against. The British newspaper Telegraph reported on Wednesday, January 9, citing its intelligence sources inside Iran, that the Houthi group has been trained at the "Khamenei Marine Science and Technology University" in Zibakenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. The Telegraph specified in its report that Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has played a "central and personal" role in the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea and has ordered that more weapons and equipment be provided to this rebel group. According to the Telegraph, about 200 members of this Yemeni group, which is now attacking vessels passing through the Red Sea, have received necessary training in Iran through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at the Khamenei Marine Science and Technology University in Zibakenar. Blinken's warning to the Islamic Republic: Support for the Houthis will have "consequences." Associated Press: Concerns about the onset of an "all-out war" in the region have increased. The commander of the IRGC threatens despite calls to halt destabilizing actions: We will attack the enemy "from afar and near." A global container shipping giant has warned its customers about a potential "major disruption" and is sending its ships with "escort" around the Red Sea.