Iranian navy sent to the Red Sea – state media

Iran’s Alborz destroyer has entered the Red Sea after crossing the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, as reported by Iran’s state-run IRNA and Tasnim news agencies.

This deployment comes after a deadly clash between US warships and Yemen’s Houthi militants in the same waterway.

The Houthis, an Iran-affiliated Shiite group, have controlled significant parts of Yemen since 2014 and have been attacking commercial ships passing through the Red Sea, claiming they are Israeli-owned or heading for Israel.

The Alborz destroyer’s deployment to this crucial waterway, responsible for 12% of global trade, is attributed to escalating tensions.

The US Navy, along with warships from other nations, has been patrolling the area since December 19 under Operation Prosperity Guardian, while Iran denies any involvement in the attacks.