Red Sea tensions rise as Houthis target Israel and threaten shipping

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militant group has announced a complete ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel, raising fears of disruption to one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

The announcement came as tensions across West Asia intensified following a fresh exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran. Israel launched retaliatory strikes on targets in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan after Iran fired ballistic missiles toward northern Israel.

The renewed hostilities have placed recent ceasefire efforts under severe strain and increased concerns about a wider regional conflict.

The Houthis said that any Israeli movement in the Red Sea would now be considered a legitimate military target, Iran's Mehr news agency reported. The group also claimed to have launched a barrage of missiles at what it described as sensitive targets in the Jaffa area near Tel Aviv.

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Red Sea shipping under threat

In a statement issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces, Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced a full prohibition on Israeli navigation in the Red Sea. He warned that any Israeli-linked vessels operating in the waterway would be treated as military targets, the report said.

The Red Sea is one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, connecting Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. During the Israel-Hamas conflict, Houthi attacks on commercial vessels forced many shipping companies to reroute their cargo around the southern tip of Africa, increasing travel times and costs.

The latest declaration has revived concerns about possible disruptions to global trade and energy supplies. It also comes at a time when the Strait of Hormuz, another critical shipping route, remains under pressure due to the broader regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Missile attack on Israel

The Houthis said that their missile strike successfully reached its intended targets, although they did not provide details regarding damage or casualties. The Israeli military confirmed that it detected a missile launch from Yemen and activated air defence systems to intercept the threat.

The attack marks one of the most significant Houthi actions since a fragile ceasefire came into effect in April. The group said that it would respond to any escalation with stronger military action and would coordinate its operations with members of the "Axis of Resistance", a network of Iran-aligned groups that includes Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

The Houthis have controlled large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, since 2014. Their involvement in the broader confrontation between Iran and Israel has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile region.