Iran escalated the tension in the Red Sea after dispatching the destroyer Alborz to the area. The arrival of the warship comes just after the combat between US forces and Houthi rebels that ended with three boats sunk and at least 10 terrorists dead. The Ayatollah Regime indicated, however, that it is a movement within "regular missions in international waters" of its navy ships.
#Iranian Navy has dispatched a destroyer to the Red Sea https://t.co/5UfEU0mULB pic.twitter.com/znuGFYL2s6
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) January 2, 2024
Iran wants to strengthen the combat capacity of its Navy
As reported by the semi-official Tasnim agency, the Alborz, "which operates as a military ship of the 94th flotilla of the Iranian Navy, crossed the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on Monday and entered the Red Sea." The movement is seen as a show of support from Tehran for the attacks that Houthi terrorists are carrying out against ships "linked" to Israel and that are putting global maritime trade in check.
The same source highlighted that the Supreme Leader of the Council of Ayatollahs Ali Khameini had already indicated in 2022 the need for the Iranian navy to "reinforce and maintain its presence in international waters." Furthermore, Jameini stressed the need for the Regime's combat ships to "enhance their combat capabilities and defense equipment."
UK warns that it will take "direct action" against the Houthis
Meanwhile, the US formed a special force to respond to the attacks on the cargo ships. Last Monday, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps warned in an article in The Telegraph that "we are willing to take direct action, and we won’t hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea."
This morning’s atrocious attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis were an unacceptable and outrageous act designed to destabilise global trade.
The Houthis must end their illegal campaign against merchant shipping and stop all violent attacks immediately. https://t.co/cYqGnNJkmd
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 31, 2023
