Image Credit- Reuters
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched two missiles at an Iran-bound cargo ship in the Red Sea early Monday, causing minor damage to the vessel but fortunately resulting in no injuries, according to U.S. military officials. This incident marks the first time the Houthis have targeted an Iran-bound vessel since initiating attacks on international shipping in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, as has been reported by shipping sources.
The U.S. Central Command announced on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned cargo vessel flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. The ship, en route to Iran’s Bandar Imam Khomeini port, was carrying a cargo of corn from Brazil at the time of the attack. Despite sustaining minor damage, the vessel remains seaworthy, and no crew members were harmed.
In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that the targeted ship was American. However, maritime-shipping trackers have confirmed that the vessel is Greek-owned and registered in the Marshall Islands. The Star Iris, identified as a large panamax bulk carrier, is managed by Athens-based Star Bulk Carriers, listed on the U.S. NASDAQ exchange. The Houthi rebels’ attack on the ship underscores their continued aggression in the region.
The attack on the Star Iris comes amidst ongoing tensions between the Houthis and international commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea. Since mid-November, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships with commercial ties to the United States, Britain, or Israel, prompting concerns and disruptions to maritime trade routes in the region. In response to previous attacks, some companies have opted for longer and costlier routes around Africa, bypassing the Red Sea altogether.
Although Iranian officials have not responded to requests for comment on the recent incident, the attack serves as a reminder of the volatile situation in the region and the potential impact on global maritime trade. As tensions persist, stakeholders continue to monitor developments closely, with concerns over the safety and security of vessels navigating through the strategic waterway.
