UK Defense Minister Warns Houthis: End Attacks on Ships

Grant Shapps, the UK Defense Minister, warned the Houthi group in Yemen, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, to cease their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. This warning came after British and American warships had to target and shoot down numerous Houthi missiles and drones. According to the 'Daily Mail', the £1 billion destroyer 'HMS Diamond', known as the jewel of the Royal Navy, shot down Houthi missiles and drones with missiles that travel three times the speed of sound. American fighter jets also participated in this operation. Shapps told 'Sky News' that there is 'no doubt' Tehran is involved, providing weapons and intelligence to the Houthis. He stated, 'Enough is enough,' adding, 'We must clearly tell the Houthis that this must stop, and this is my simple message to them today: Expect developments.' Earlier, the US Central Command, CENTCOM, announced that the Houthis launched a 'complex' attack on international shipping lanes on Tuesday evening, targeting routes used by dozens of commercial ships. CENTCOM indicated that Iranian-designed drones were used in this attack. Fourteen countries, including the United States, issued a joint statement last week warning the Houthis that if they continued to pose a threat to global economy or the free flow of trade in vital waterways, they should expect consequences for their actions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also stated on Tuesday, January 9, at the end of his visit to Israel, that the Biden administration is prepared to respond to Houthi movements supported by the Islamic Republic in the Red Sea, as it has in the past. The White House claims that the Islamic Republic plays a significant role in planning attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea, and the intelligence it provides is critical for the Houthis to target ships. Associated Press: Concerns are rising over the onset of a 'full-scale war' in the region. The commander of the IRGC threatens to attack the enemy 'from afar and near' despite calls to stop destabilizing actions. A global container shipping giant has warned its customers about a potential 'major disruption' and is sending its ships with 'escorts' around the Red Sea.