In recent developments, an American destroyer successfully intercepted four drones fired by Houthi militants into the Red Sea's busy shipping lanes. The U.S. Central Command confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday, stating that the drones were inbound to the USS Laboon and originated from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. This interception took place as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a mission led by Washington aimed at preventing violence from spreading into the strategic waterway.
Additionally, the Pentagon announced on Saturday that a Japanese-owned, Liberian-flagged chemical tanker, the Chem Pluto, had been struck by a drone in the Indian Ocean. The attack was believed to have been launched from Iran. The tanker was carrying nearly 43,000 barrels of highly-flammable benzene at the time, but fortunately, no casualties were reported. This incident marks the first time the U.S. has directly accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping since the crisis began.
Intelligence previously revealed that Iran was deeply involved in planning attacks on vessels, working closely with Yemen's Houthi rebels. This coordinated effort has raised concerns among experts, as it poses a threat to the world economy. Houthi forces claim to be targeting vessels with links to Israel as a retaliation for its war in Gaza.
Furthermore, two civilian ships in the Red Sea area reported being under attack on Saturday evening. The Norwegian-flagged vessel, Blaamanen, narrowly avoided an attack drone, while the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, Saibaba, confirmed that it had taken a direct hit. The Red Sea is a critical trade route, with over 10 percent of global trade passing through it annually.
In light of these escalating events, former British Prime Minister David Cameron emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to Tehran that this escalation will not be tolerated. The United Kingdom, along with France, Italy, and Spain, is joining forces with the U.S. as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
The situation in the Red Sea continues to be a cause for concern, as it not only threatens regional stability but also has broader implications for the global economy. As tensions rise, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to this crisis.