The US on Friday released newly declassified intelligence that suggests Iran has been “deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson told CNN.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched more than 100 attacks against about a dozen commercial and merchant ships transiting the Red Sea over the past four weeks, CNN previously reported. The newly declassified intelligence suggests that “Iranian support throughout the Gaza crisis has enabled the Houthis to launch attacks against Israel and maritime targets, though Iran has often deferred operational decision-making authority to the Houthis,” Watson said.

On Tuesday, a senior US military official said the Iranians are operating in the Red Sea when asked whether Iran is helping the Houthis select targets. But that official said the Houthi attacks have been broadly indiscriminate.

    • @buzlo@lemmy.world
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      1811 months ago

      Because the Israeli genocide in Gaza is the direct and stated reason for the attack on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea?

      • PugJesus
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        711 months ago

        “Israel is committing genocide; attacking non-Israeli vessels far from the territorial waters of Israel will surely solve this issue!”

        • NoneOfUrBusiness
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          11 months ago

          Sigh They’re trying to economically isolate Israel by cutting off red sea shipping.

          It’s a DIY blockade.

          • PugJesus
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            911 months ago

            Yes, Red Sea shipping, known for not being a busy sea route used by anyone other than shipping to and from Israel.

    • @saze@feddit.uk
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      411 months ago

      The Houthi attacks on commercial shipping are literally an attempt to blockade Israel and coerce them into stopping the Gaza offensive.