Image credits - The Economic Times - IndiaTimes
In a recent development, Iran’s Defence Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, issued a stern warning against the proposed U.S.-backed multinational task force to secure shipping in the Red Sea. As reported by official Iranian media on Thursday,14th December. Ashtiani emphasised that such a move would encounter “extraordinary problems.”
The United States announced last week that it was engaging in discussions with several nations to establish a task force in response to a series of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on ships navigating the Red Sea. The Houthi involvement has escalated tensions in the region, prompting concerns about the safety of maritime traffic.
Ashtiani cautioned in his statement to the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) that should they proceed with such an irrational move, they would encounter extraordinary problems. He asserted Iran’s predominance in the region, stating that no one could take action in a region where they held dominance, without specifying the measures Iran might take in response to the proposed task force.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned last week that Washington was in talks with unspecified “other countries” to form a “maritime task force” to ensure the secure passage of ships in the Red Sea. However, details about the composition and specific objectives of this task force were not disclosed.
The backdrop to these developments includes the Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, becoming involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The rebels have targeted vessels in crucial shipping lanes and launched drones and missiles at Israel from their base in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, over 1,000 miles away.
In response to the escalating threats posed by the Houthis, both the American and French navies have bolstered their presence in the Red Sea. Their objective is to protect vessels from the risk of seizure or attack by the Iran-backed rebels, ensuring the safety of maritime activities in the region.
The situation remains fluid, with geopolitical tensions playing out against the backdrop of maritime security concerns. As world powers navigate these complex dynamics, the international community watches closely, mindful of the potential consequences of a heightened military presence in this strategically significant waterway.