The Iranian destroyer “Alborz” arrived in the Red Sea through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, amid escalating tensions following Houthi attacks on Israeli ships and others heading to Israeli ports.
This came a day after the Houthis announced the killing and loss of 10 members of the naval forces after American forces targeted three boats in the Red Sea, and they held Washington “the consequences of this crime and its repercussions.”
The Iranian “Tasnim” agency reported that the destroyer “Alborz”, within the framework of Group (94) of the Iranian Army Navy, entered the Red Sea through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In 2019, the destroyer “Alborz” joined the southern fleet of the Iranian Army Navy after carrying out major repairs and installing new technical systems. It weighs 1,550 tons and reaches a speed of more than 36 knots.
Since mid-November, the Red Sea has been witnessing tensions after the Houthi group announced its support for the Gaza Strip following the Israeli war on it, and threatened to attack any ships crossing the Bab al-Mandab Strait that are linked to Israel or dock at its ports.
On the other hand, the United States announced on Monday that the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford would be returned to its main port, after months of additional service in the Mediterranean to provide protection for Israel.
The US Sixth Fleet confirmed in a statement that it will continue to “deter any state or non-governmental entity that attempts to escalate the crisis outside the Gaza Strip.” He stated, “The Pentagon is constantly assessing the situation globally, and we will maintain extensive capabilities both in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East.” He also indicated that he is cooperating with allies and partners to enhance maritime security in the region.
The Associated Press said that the carrier Ford and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and its accompanying warships USS Mesa Verde and USS Carter Hall.
She added that the three ships were in the Red Sea and were on their way towards the eastern Mediterranean during the past few days.
The Gerald Ford has remained in the eastern Mediterranean since November 8, while the warships accompanying it sailed to the Red Sea, where they intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and attack drones launched from Yemen.
After expanding its scope of work in the eastern Mediterranean, the aircraft carriers “Ford” and “USS Dwight D. Eisenhower” became part of the war group between Israel and Hamas, which confirms US fears about the expansion of the scope of the conflict.
Eisenhower recently patrolled near the Gulf of Aden, at the mouth of the Red Sea waterway, where several commercial ships came under Houthi attacks.
Helicopters from the aircraft carrier “Eisenhower” and its destroyer “USS Gravely” responded on Sunday to a distress call from the container ship “Maersk Hangzhou”, which was attacked by four small boats belonging to the Houthis supported by Iran.
The US Central Command said that the helicopters responded by firing on the boats, which led to the sinking of three of the four boats and the killing of their crews.
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2024-01-02 01:15:33
