Iran claims 'extraordinary problems' for US task force protecting Red Sea shipping routes

This is in response to a series of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, leading the United States to propose the formation of a multinational task force. The goal of this initiative is to safeguard navigation in the region. Iran's Defense Minister, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, has cautioned that this proposal could lead to unforeseen problems, a comment reported by Reuters, citing official Iranian media.

Last week, the United States National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, notified journalists about ongoing discussions with other countries regarding creating a unique "maritime task force" to ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea. However, the American official refrained from providing any specific details.

"If they undertake such an irrational action, they will encounter extraordinary problems," Ashtiani stated in a comment published on Thursday by the Iranian agency ISNA. "No one can step foot in the region where we hold an advantage," he added, implicitly referring to the Red Sea. However, the minister did not specify which particular measures he was referring to, or which actions Iran would be prepared to take in response to the establishment of the American task force.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, a political-military movement allied with Iran, have involved themselves in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The rebels target "Israel-linked" ships along crucial shipping routes and also launch drones and missiles towards Israel from Yemen's capital, Sanaa, which is over 1000 miles away.