Pentagon boosts defense funding to counter Iran, Houthi threats

The Pentagon plans to allocate approximately $1.2 billion for activities in the Red Sea region and to replenish the missile arsenal used for defense against potential attacks by Iran and its allies, according to Bloomberg, which cites budget documents.

Bloomberg notes that two budget documents detail the costs associated with maintaining American military units and intercepting drones and missiles launched by Iran or Houthi rebels from Yemen. These expenses have been presented to the U.S. Congress and published online.

The documents indicate that about $190 million will be allocated to replenish the stock of RTX Corp. Standard Missile-3 Block 1B and approximately $8.5 million will be used to purchase heat-seeking AIM-X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

The largest portion of the expenditures is $300 million, designated for unforeseen maintenance work on the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship and ships from the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group, which operated in the Red Sea, Bloomberg notes.

The Pentagon also plans to spend $16,000 to replenish flare stocks used in self-defense operations.

In April, with support from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and other countries, Israel shot down about 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.

Houthi rebels, who control the most populated areas of Yemen, have been attacking commercial ships and Western warships in the waters off the coast of the country since November of last year as a show of solidarity with Palestinians fighting the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

The rebels' actions have disrupted global shipping in the region, forcing shipping companies to change their transport routes.

In response to attacks that threaten maritime transport, American and British forces have been conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January.