CENTCOM Destroys Several Houthi Missiles and Drones; Ships Continue to Avoid Red Sea

The United States Central Command, CENTCOM, announced the destruction of seven missiles and drones belonging to the Houthi forces supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to CENTCOM's statement, on Thursday evening, March 1st, local time in Sana'a, six mobile cruise missiles targeting ships in the Red Sea were destroyed in two attacks. The statement also noted that around 5:10 PM on Friday, a Houthi drone was shot down over the Red Sea. CENTCOM referred to these Houthi weapons as an 'imminent threat' to U.S. Navy ships and commercial vessels in the region, stating that their destruction was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and making international waters safer for ships present in the area. Concurrently, as Houthi attacks on passing ships in the Red Sea continue, Reuters reported that currently, almost only grain-carrying ships from the Black Sea or heading to Iran are passing through this sea. Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping and forced shipping companies to choose longer and more expensive routes around the African continent. An analyst from the data company 'Kpler' in the UK told Reuters, 'Almost all dry bulk grain carriers from North America and Western Europe are avoiding [going to] the Red Sea.' According to him, 'The only exception is ships heading to Iran.' He added that almost all ships moving from the Black Sea to Asia pass through the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Western countries, led by the United States, have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of financially and militarily supporting the Houthis. Tim Lenderking, the U.S. special envoy for Yemen, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is 'equipping and facilitating' Houthi attacks, which have led to retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and the UK against Yemen. Lenderking stated, 'Credible public reports indicate that a significant number of Iranian and Hezbollah operatives from inside Yemen are supporting Houthi attacks.' Last week, Lenderking also described Iran's assistance to the Houthis as a factor in the continuation of that group's attacks on ships in the Red Sea. He said, 'Iran is helping the Houthis in their attacks in the most destructive way.' Lenderking emphasized that the U.S. 'wants Iran to play a positive role, to help reduce tensions, not to exacerbate them.'