Iranian Naval Commander Applauds Houthi Shipping Attacks

A tribesman loyal to the Houthis carries a machine gun during a military parade for new tribal recruits amid escalating tensions with the US-led coalition in the Red Sea, in Bani Hushaish, Yemen January 22, 2024.
A tribesman loyal to the Houthis carries a machine gun during a military parade for new tribal recruits amid escalating tensions with the US-led coalition in the Red Sea, in Bani Hushaish, Yemen January 22, 2024.

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' naval forces has branded the Iran-backed Houthi attacks on shipping a demonstration of "valor".

Alireza Tangsiri asserted that the "Maritime Operations of Yemen in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are aimed at supporting Muslims by hindering the passage of ships associated with Israel or those heading towards Israel,” referring to the Red Sea blockade imposed by the Yemeni militia recently redesignated by the US.

His remarks align with the stance of other Iranian officials, claiming that “Yemen is an independent country with a formidable military and an autonomous leader who operates without taking orders from any external entity,” in spite of the fact that Iran's Supreme Leader had initiated the calls for the blockade in the wake of the Gaza war.

Following Iran-backed Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, Israel's relentless retaliatory attacks led Iran's proxies around the region not only to launch attacks on Israel, but the US has also been targeted for its allegiance with the Jewish state.

The Red Sea blockade has led to the US and UK hitting key targets in Yemen in a bid to overcome the crisis affecting global shipping routes, the Red Sea representing 12% of global shipping.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, recently rejected accusations of supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been accused of disrupting global trade through attacks on commercial vessels. In an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Amir-Abdollahian asserted that individuals from Yemen and other regional countries supporting Palestinians act independently.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran continues to support Hamas in its confrontation with Israel and supplies weapons to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which, in turn, supports Hamas by targeting Israel's north. Responding to Houthi attacks, the US and its allies have conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.