Iran has threatened of “closing and blocking” the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea, until Israel halts its offensive on Gaza.
“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, and other waterways,” stated Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior member of the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the Telegraph.
It’s unclear how Iran, which does not have direct access to the Mediterranean, might plan to close it off, with the general hinting at “the birth of new resistance powers” and “the closure of other waterways.”
Iran’s proxy militias in southern Lebanon Hezbollah and Syria, and in some regions in Africa do have access to the far end of the sea facilitating approximately one-fifth of world marine trade.
By targeting merchant ships with drones and missiles, the Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran, have forced major shipping companies to reroute their vessels to avoid the Red Sea. A drone struck a Liberian-flagged tanker off the coast of India, causing it to catch fire.
Ambrey, a British maritime security firm, reported structural damage and water damage to an Israel-affiliated vessel destined for India, which had last called at Saudi Arabia, according to the Telegraph.
The fire was put out without any casualties, but it occurred during a wave of Houthi drone and missile attacks with no clear claim of responsibility.
“Yesterday, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped … in the Red Sea,” said Naqdi.
The Houthi leadership claims the attacks are retaliatory for Israel’s aggression in Gaza, and target shipping headed for Israel. However, some ships have no connection to Israel or the war.
The White House accused on Friday Tehran of being “deeply involved” in the operational planning of the Red Sea attacks, suggesting that Iran has been providing a crucial monitoring system for the attacks, said Adrienne Watson, as reported Telegraph.
Earlier this month, Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked a Norwegian tanker, MT Strinda, with at least one missile, causing a fire.
The ship’s owners claim it was delivering oil to Italy for biofuel, contradicting Houthi statements that it was heading to Israel.
The United States considers these attacks, allegedly supported by Iran, and has promised ‘appropriate responses.’
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