Missile Attack on American Commercial Ship in Gulf of Aden

The British maritime security company, Ambrey, reported that a U.S.-owned cargo ship sailing under the Greek flag was attacked by missiles in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, February 19. The British Maritime Trade Operations organization separately stated that it received a report from a vessel located 100 miles east of the port of Aden in Yemen regarding an explosion near the ship. Both reports emphasized that the ship and its crew are safe and are en route to the next port. According to Reuters, citing sources from the Greek Ministry of Shipping, the ship 'Sea Champion,' carrying grains and with 23 crew members from Argentina, was attacked. These sources added that two missiles were fired at the ship, both of which exploded about 10 to 15 meters away. They noted that one window was damaged in the attack. Houthi forces affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran have targeted international commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait with drone and missile attacks since November, claiming to support Palestinians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. These attacks have prompted several shipping companies to halt passage through the Red Sea and opt for the longer, more expensive route around the African continent. In response to Houthi actions, American and British fighter jets have conducted retaliatory strikes across Yemen. Previously, the U.S. mission to the United Nations stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran 'cannot deny its role in enabling [the Houthis] to carry out attacks [on ships] and supporting' them. The statement noted that since 2014, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has provided advanced weapons to the Houthis, which they have used to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 240 others, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hamas officials have repeatedly stated that they will carry out similar attacks if capable. Hamas claims that over 28,000 Palestinians residing in Gaza have been killed so far, without mentioning the number of its own members killed as a result of the Israeli invasion. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Tim Lenderking, the U.S. special envoy for Yemen, stated that Houthi attacks are detrimental to all people and countries in the region. Politico reported that some Arab governments are limiting U.S. access for operations against the Islamic Republic's proxies. The struggle over the Houthis has led to Russia and China clashing with the U.S. and the U.K. in the Security Council. The seizure of a ship carrying Iranian weapons for the Houthis led to U.S. Central Command attacking Houthi positions. The ongoing threats from the Houthis have caused Greek commercial ships to change their routes from the Red Sea. The U.S. has called for global pressure against the Islamic Republic to stop Houthi attacks. The Financial Times reported that the Islamic Republic has used two major British banks to circumvent sanctions. The U.S. has for the first time destroyed an unmanned underwater vehicle of the Houthi forces supported by the Islamic Republic. The U.S. response to the unveiling of missile systems in Iran has been to use all 'deterrent tools.' Exclusively, the United States has targeted two Iranian spy ships with a cyber attack. Central Command reported the destruction of weapons belonging to the militants; Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea continue. Lenderking told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is helping the Houthis in the 'worst possible way.' Starting Monday, European Union forces will take over the protection of maritime transport in the Red Sea. A tanker was targeted in a missile attack in the Red Sea. The U.S. has once again placed the Iranian-backed Houthis on the list of 'global terrorists.'