The Yemeni rebel movement Ansar Allah (Houthis) and Iraqi Shiite militias could become active participants in the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel over the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an analytical report by CNN says.
It notes that the blockade of the Strait could only escalate the conflict. CNN reported, citing an analyst who noted that Iran "has already retaliated against previous US and Israeli attacks by blowing up crucial energy infrastructure in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but now Iranian allies in the region, "including the Houthis and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, could also enter the conflict in a broader way than they already have," attacking American ships and tankers.
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Iran’s military warned on Wednesday it would block trade through the Red Sea, along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the US naval blockade on Iranian ports continues.
ReplyDeleteIn a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of the military’s central command center said if the US continues with its blockade and “creates insecurity for Iran’s commercial vessels and oil tankers,” it will also constitute “a prelude” to violating the ceasefire.
tracking data on Tuesday indicated that several ships sailing from Iranian ports had crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade.
ReplyDeleteOn Wednesday, Iran’s Tasnim news agency quoted unnamed informed sources as saying that shipping from Iran’s southern ports had continued.
It added that Iranian “commercial vessels have set sail for various destinations around the world” during the past 24 hours.
The US-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry made its way back to the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after exiting the Gulf the day before, shipping data showed, failing to break through a US blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports.
ReplyDeleteA US destroyer stopped two oil tankers attempting to leave the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, a US official said.
ReplyDelete