On Wednesday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced in a statement that they targeted an American ship "that was providing support to Israel with ballistic missiles and drones." The statement indicated that "the operation is a preliminary response to a previous American attack that resulted in the death of ten Houthi members." He emphasized that "the armed forces will not hesitate to deal appropriately with all hostile threats within the legitimate right to defend our country, our people, and our nation, and will continue to prevent Israeli or ships heading to the occupied ports of Palestine from navigating in the Arabian and Red Seas until the aggression ceases and the siege is lifted from our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip."
The statement also affirmed that "the Yemeni armed forces are fully committed to ensuring the continuity of navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas to all destinations except the occupied ports of Palestine."
On the same day, the U.S. Central Command announced that American and British forces intercepted 21 drones and a missile launched by Houthis on Tuesday towards the international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea.
British Defense Minister Grant Shapps stated that the situation in the Red Sea cannot continue. He said, "There is no doubt at all that the Iranians are assisting the Houthis, including providing guidance for attacks in the Red Sea." He noted that the British Royal Navy ship Diamond may have been targeted in the attack that was thwarted by American and British forces on Tuesday.
Shapps added, "What I understand is that it is likely the ship itself was targeted, but there is also a general attack on all ships in the area."
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed on Wednesday that attacks on ships in the Red Sea must stop to avoid provoking a new war. He told Reuters, "It is a major problem, and a result of other wars erupting. I would not want to open a third front of war at this time," referring to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Crosetto remarked that the involvement of the Italian Navy in the "Guard of Prosperity" operation requires parliamentary approval, complicating any final commitment.
He added, "There is what is called the constitution, and there are laws under which any new international mission requires parliamentary approval and needs separate funding. If we decide to proceed, it will be through a decision discussed in the cabinet, raised to parliament, and voted on in both chambers."
