Iran-backed Houthis Threaten: We Will Target All Ships Heading to Israel

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to target any ship heading towards Israel, regardless of its nationality. According to Reuters, a Houthi spokesperson stated on Saturday that the passage of all ships going to Israeli ports through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea is prohibited. He added, "If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships heading to Israeli ports in the Red Sea, regardless of their nationality, will be immediately targeted by our armed forces." Just days before this threat, Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), had warned that ships flying the Israeli flag would "certainly" be hit. The Houthis are one of several groups supported by the Islamic Republic that have intensified their attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests in the Middle East since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. The Iranian government and its proxy forces refer to this group of organizations as the "Axis of Resistance." The Houthi rebels have previously attacked or seized several Israel-related ships in the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and separately launched missiles and drones towards Israel, none of which reached their destination or were intercepted by the U.S. military en route. Houthi officials claim their actions are in support of the Palestinians. Israel has stated that attacks on ships are a "terrorist act by the Islamic Republic" that has negative consequences for international maritime security. John Kirby, the National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator, said on December 8 that the U.S. is strengthening its naval forces in the region to counter Houthi actions. Bloomberg reported on December 9 that the U.S. is consulting with its allies in the Gulf for military action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. President Joe Biden removed the Houthis from the U.S. government's list of terrorist organizations three years ago at the beginning of his presidency. A group of Republican senators led by Ted Cruz intends to re-list this Iran-backed militia as a terrorist group. Bloomberg: The United States is considering military options to counter the Houthis in Yemen. The U.S. is seeking to provide more support to commercial ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. has sanctioned a financial network supporting the Houthis. Claims of threats from a senior IRGC official: Ships flying the Israeli flag will "certainly" be targeted. The U.S. Navy shot down Houthi drones over the Red Sea. White House National Security Advisor: The Islamic Republic has enabled attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Britain: The Islamic Republic is responsible for Houthi attacks on commercial ships. CENTCOM: Houthi attacks in the region are fully activated by the Iranian government.