On Sunday, Iranian authorities conveyed a warning to the United States regarding the potential targeting of two cargo ships situated in the Middle East, suspected to function as espionage vessels for Iran.
This cautionary message was issued in the aftermath of a joint air strike offensive by US and UK forces against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The statement from Iran, as reported by The Associated Press, specifically identified the Behshad and Saviz ships.
US Sanctions Hit Tehran Cargo Ships
Both vessels are registered as commercial cargo ships affiliated with a Tehran-based company. It is noteworthy that the US Treasury had previously imposed sanctions on this company, designating it as a front for the state-operated Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.
Furthermore, the statement reflects Tehran’s escalating apprehension concerning the US-led airstrikes in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, targeting militias supported by the Islamic Republic.
In response to the killing of three US soldiers and injuries to numerous others in Jordan, President Biden ordered attacks.
The escalation of attacks on US troops and facilities in the Middle East has been noted since the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, triggered by Hamas’ invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023.
The United States maintains its stance of not seeking war in the Middle East, emphasizing its presence to prevent the spread of the conflict between Hamas and Israel across the region.
On Saturday, US and coalition forces executed over two dozen strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
The targets included 13 locations with deeply buried storage facilities, missile systems, launchers, air defense systems, and radars, as reported by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Houthis Silent on Damage, Release Statement Post-Attacks
Following the attacks, the Houthis refrained from presenting an evaluation of the inflicted damage, but issued a statement.
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated, “These attacks will not deter Yemeni forces and the nation from persisting in their support for Palestinians in the face of Zionist occupation and crimes.” He asserted, “The aggressors’ airstrikes will not go unanswered.”
The Behshad and Saviz have long been under suspicion of serving as spy ships for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, as both vessels have been present in the Red Sea near Yemen for an extended duration.