US forces say they have intercepted a weapons shipment from Iran for the first time since the Houthi attacks on merchant ships began. Meanwhile, another freighter was apparently attacked.
The US has confiscated weapons that were supposed to be sent from Iran to the Houthi militias in Yemen. This is reported by the United States Central Command. These are conventional weapons.
This is the first time that weapons destined for the Houthis have been intercepted from Iran since Yemeni militias began attacks on merchant ships in November.
Freighter attacked again
Meanwhile, another freighter is said to have been attacked and hit by a Houthi rocket attack. This is reported by the British security company Ambrey.
The Greek ship, flying the Maltese flag, was in the Red Sea 76 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port city of Saleef. Just yesterday, Houthis attacked the US cargo ship “Gibraltar Eagle” registered in the Marshall Islands.
Attacks should continue
A spokesman for the Iran-backed Houthis told the dpa news agency on Monday that they would continue to attack ships in the Red Sea that were heading towards Israel or whose countries of origin supported Israel.
The Shiite Houthis have recently repeatedly fired on merchant ships in the area, according to their own statements, to support the militant Islamist Hamas in the fight against Israel. Many shipping companies therefore no longer allow their ships to sail through the Red Sea, the entrance to the Suez Canal, but instead accept long detours and delivery delays.
Iran praises Houthi attacks
Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the Houthi militia’s fight against Israel. “The nation of Yemen and Ansar Allah (Houthi) have indeed done a great job,” the state news agency Irna quoted the 84-year-old as saying.
Their work is proof of the struggle in God’s way. “We hope that these efforts will lead to victory,” the head of state continued, according to Irna.