Escalating Tensions with Houthis; US Extends Carrier Strike Group Mission

American officials announced that the US Navy's carrier strike group, which has been conducting significant attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen for months to protect military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, will remain in the region for at least another month. Following joint airstrikes by the US and Britain on positions held by the Iran-backed Houthis on Thursday, June 1, Houthi-controlled media claimed that at least 16 people were killed and 42 injured, describing the deceased as 'civilians.' The US Central Command stated that in these attacks, eight drones were destroyed in areas controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and over the Red Sea, targeting 13 sites in Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that these attacks were conducted for 'self-defense' with the aim of 'further weakening the military capabilities of the Houthis and preventing further attacks on international vessels.' The UK Ministry of Defense reported that these strikes targeted buildings near the port city of Hudaydah and other sites in southern Yemen. The statement noted that the buildings hit were identified as 'ground control facilities for drones and storage for long-range drones and surface-to-air weapons.' The Iran-backed Houthis threatened on Friday, June 2, to escalate attacks on Red Sea vessels in response. Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the group's military forces, claimed they had attacked the US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea in retaliation. A US defense official told Reuters they had no knowledge of an attack on the Eisenhower. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have endangered international trade and the safety of sailors by attacking commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea. The Houthis claim their attacks are in response to Israel's assault on Gaza. Western experts have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of endangering regional security by supplying weapons to rebel and non-state forces throughout the Middle East, attempting to destabilize other governments. The Tasnim news agency, close to the Revolutionary Guards, acknowledged on June 1 that the Iranian government had provided 'Qadr' anti-ship ballistic missiles to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The news agency close to the Guards: Iran has given 'anti-ship ballistic missiles' to the Houthis. The Iran-backed Houthis released 113 prisoners of war. The Houthis claimed to have attacked three vessels in the Red, Mediterranean, and Arabian seas. Australia listed the Iran-backed Houthis as 'terrorist organizations.' CENTCOM: The tanker targeted by the Houthis last docked in Russia and was en route to China. The Houthis attacked another commercial vessel in the Red Sea. An American destroyer destroyed Houthi anti-ship missiles over the Red Sea.