Britain is reportedly considering launching air strikes on Houthi rebels after the US Navy sank three boats targeting a container ship in the Red Sea.
defense minister Grant Shapps He said the government would not hesitate to take “direct action” to prevent further attacks on ships.
This comes after the US military said that four boats were coming from areas controlled by the Houthis Yemen They opened fire on the Maersk Hangzhou and came within meters of the ship.
A number of armed boat crew members were killedUS Central Command said.
Shapps said in the Daily Telegraph that the UK “is prepared to take direct action” and “will not hesitate to take further action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”
This includes possible air strikes, according to The Telegraph.
“The Houthis must make no misunderstandings: we are committed to holding malignant actors to account for unlawful seizures and attacks,” Shapps said.
Ships were targeted in the Red Sea
In December, a Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond joined the international effort To deter attacks on cargo shipping in the Red Sea.
IranThe Yemeni-backed Houthis claimed that the attacks targeted ships associated with them Israel Or heading to Israeli ports, and they say that it aims to end the air and ground attack on the region Gaza strip Following the October 7 attacks agitation.
British Foreign Secretary on Sunday Lord Cameron He said that he spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
How do the Houthi attacks affect the world?
“I spoke with @Amirabdolahian today about the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which threaten innocent lives and the global economy,” he wrote in a post on X.
He added: “I have made clear that Iran shares the responsibility for preventing these attacks given its long-term support for the Houthis.”
Read more
Why do the Houthis attack ships in the Red Sea?
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Who are the Houthis?
A British government spokesman said: “The situation in the Red Sea is very dangerous, and the Houthi attacks are unacceptable and destabilizing.
He added: “As you would expect, while a range of scenarios are being planned, no decisions have been made yet and we continue to follow all diplomatic routes.
He added, “We call on the Iran-backed Houthis to stop these illegal attacks and we work with allies and partners to protect freedom of navigation.”
