Yemen’s pro-Iranian Houthi rebels have attacked a cargo ship bound for Tehran in the Red Sea. Shipping analysts made the claim on Monday (February 12). British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Sources in the shipping industry say it appears to be the first time the Houthis have targeted Iran-bound vessels since November. The group has been carrying out drone and missile attacks targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
A US defense official said the ship was likely targeted, but not hit. But he did not elaborate on this matter.
Maritime experts had earlier indicated that the vessel may have been damaged, but no one was injured.
The Houthis referred to the vessel as the Star Iris. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Sari, said in a statement that the cargo ship belonged to the United States. But ship identifiers say it is Marshall Islands-flagged and owned by Greece.
The Star Iris vessel was carrying cargo from Brazil to Iran, according to analytics group Kepler.
A regional intelligence official said the attack was intended to show that Iran does not control the Houthis and that they operate independently.
The ship’s owner has not commented on the attack. They asked the US-led coalition to look into the matter.
Iranian officials did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
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