WASHINGTON — The United States on Friday accused Iran of being closely involved in attacks on commercial ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and claims that Tehran has supplied drones, missiles and tactical intelligence.
The accusations, revealed by the White House Based on US intelligence, they are so far the strongest comments from the United States on the role that Iran would have had in the attacks.
“We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” said National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson.
“This is consistent with Iran’s long-standing material support and empowerment of the Houthis’ destabilizing actions in the region,” he added.
“We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to deter the Houthis from their reckless behavior.”
The Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly targeted shipping in that crucial sea route with attacks they blame on their support for Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is fighting the Hamas militant group.
The United States and its allies have worked to intercept the attacks and the Pentagon recently announced a coalition of more than 20 countries to protect the Red Sea passage.
Source: With information from AFP
