US accuses Iran of being ‘deeply involved’ in Houthi attacks in Red Sea

The United States has accused Iran of being “deeply involved” in attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea, amid reports of another Israel-affiliated merchant vessel being struck.

The United States has accused Iran of being “deeply involved” in attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea, amid reports of another Israel-affiliated merchant vessel being struck.

Tehran’s support for the Yemeni rebel group includes both weapons and tactical intelligence, the White House said on Friday as it presented newly declassified intelligence purporting to show Iranian involvement in the attacks. Iran has repeatedly denied involvement.

“We know that Iran was deeply involved in planning the operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea,” White House national security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

“This is consistent with Iran’s long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis’ destabilising actions in the region.”

“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Watson said.

The White House said that visual analysis showed nearly identical features between Iran’s KAS-04 drones and the unmanned vehicles used by the Houthis, as well as consistent features between Iranian and Houthi missiles.