Michael McCaul: Houthis are a serious threat to international security and global trade

Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated on Monday that the Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea pose a serious threat to maritime security and global trade, calling for a serious response from the U.S. government. The statement from the House Foreign Affairs Committee reads: "The Biden administration has emboldened the Houthis by prioritizing policy over security, allowing them to produce more advanced weapons, deepen their ties with the Islamic Republic, and tighten their control over millions of innocent Yemenis." McCaul added, "It is clear that the Houthis are a threat to Yemen, U.S. allies across the Middle East, American military personnel and citizens in the region, and the freedom of navigation and global trade." He continued, "We must end this policy of appeasement and respond seriously by designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization instead of enabling their threat." Earlier, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the White House, stated at a press conference on Monday that Washington believes, based on evidence and reasons, that these attacks, while carried out by the Houthis in Yemen, have been entirely enabled by the Islamic Republic. He added, "We do not believe that all three attacked ships are linked to Israel. The actions of the Houthis are practically a threat to international peace and stability and are a source of concern, and the U.S. is consulting with its partners for responses and future decisions and actions." Given the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and separate attacks by Iranian-backed militants against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, U.S. national security officials are concerned about the risk of sudden and deadly regional escalation. The U.S. has repeatedly stated that it has messaged Iran not to widen the military conflict between Hamas and Israel. To demonstrate its seriousness regarding this warning, the U.S. has deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region, one of which, the Eisenhower strike group, has entered the Persian Gulf. National Security Advisor to the White House: 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. Pentagon: An American warship and several commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea. Detailed report from the U.S. State Department: The Islamic Republic has been the world's largest supporter of terrorism for the past forty years. Senate Republicans are trying to re-list the 'Iran-backed Houthis' as a terrorist group. Pentagon: The attempt to hijack a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Aden was by Somali pirates. Officials say that after the response from the U.S. Navy, the hijacked tanker is safe.