Iran\u2019s Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani has warned that a planned United States-backed multinational task force to protect shipping in the Red Sea would face \u201cextraordinary problems\u201d. Ashtiani\u2019s comments came after the US said last week it was in talks with other countries to set up a task force following a spate of attacks by Houthis in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea, Iranian state media reported on Thursday. \u201cIf they make such an irrational move, they will be faced with extraordinary problems,\u201d Ashtiani told Iranian state media. \u201cNobody can make a move in a region where we have predominance,\u201d he said, referring to the Red Sea. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Washington was in talks with \u201cother countries\u201d over forming a \u201cmaritime task force to ensure safe passage of ships in the Red Sea\u201d, but did not give further details. Washington\u2019s 12-nation coalition task force would reportedly involve warships from at least four countries\u2019 navies: the US, France, the United Kingdom and Israel. With a coalition, the number of warships would increase and they could attack targets inside Yemen like launch sites, command facilities and missile storage sites. In response to Israel\u2019s bombardment of Gaza, following the October 7 Hamas offensive, Yemen\u2019s Houthis have been attacking vessels sailing through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean \u2013 a narrow passage that is the world\u2019s third-largest choke point for oil shipments after the straits of Hormuz and Malacca. More than six million barrels pass through here every day, mainly on their way to Europe. Attacks on international shipping escalated with the capture of the Galaxy Leader in November and then culminated in rocket and drone attacks against unarmed commercial cargo ships and heavily armed naval vessels of several countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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