In the Iran-backed Red Sea, it is unclear whether the Houthi rebels have the means to launch the attacks they claim on commercial vessels believed to be linked to Israeli interests. Whatever happens, the United States believes it will be Tehran that takes action.

Iranian support “for the Houthis has been robust and manifested in deliveries of advanced military equipment, intelligence assistance, financial assistance and training,” the White House alleged. And, a priori, Tehran lets Yemeni rebels choose their targets.

Even so, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani's comments, when the United States had just announced its intention to form an international coalition to guarantee maritime security in the Red Sea, sounded like a confession. “If America acts irrationally, they will face tremendous problems” because “no one can act in areas where we are dominant,” he said.

On December 23, Iran threatened to “close” the Mediterranean if the United States and its allies did not end Israel's attacks on Hamas in Gaza.

“The Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have been a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped in the Red Sea” and “they will soon witness the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and other waterways,” the general said. threatened. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, head of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. How will Iran and its supporters do this? He obviously didn't elaborate.

Meanwhile, in the Arabian Sea, the Liberian-flagged tanker, MV Chem Pluto, was targeted by remotely controlled munitions (MTO or “kamikaze drone”). This ship, which according to the British company Ambrey, would be linked to Israeli interests, had just left the port of Jubail (Saudi Arabia) bound for Mangalore, India.

The attack, which caused a fire and “structural” damage affecting the tanker's operations, occurred about 200 miles off the coast of the Indian state of Gujarat (western India). No fatalities among the twenty sailors on board – all Indian nationals – were reported.

According to news agency ANI, the Indian Coast Guard sent a Dornier Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft to establish “communication with ships in distress.” He also deactivated his automatic activation system after the attack. In addition, the IGCS Vikram patrol boat equipped with the HAL Dhruv helicopter is scheduled to approach the MV Chem Pluto.

Given the distance between Yemen and where this attack on the tanker occurred, it is unlikely that the Houthis were involved. On the other hand, he was “on the ropes” of Iranian forces…

Apart from that, the MV Chem Pluto is the second commercial vessel to be attacked in the region since November 24. That day, the container ship CMA CGM Symi, registered in Malta and belonging to a company controlled by an Israeli businessman, was targeted by Shahed-136. MTO type, Iranian design, while sailing in the Indian Ocean.

Photo: ICGS Vikram – Indian Ministry of Defense