Advanced Iranian destroyer enters Red Sea via Bab al-Mandab Strait
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The warship is one of the most modernized maritime vessels belonging to the Iranian Navy and is equipped with precision-guided missile systems and cruise missiles.
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Iran's Alborz destroyer deployed in an unknown location (Iranian Navy)
An advanced destroyer belonging to the Iranian Navy entered the Red Sea through Bab al-Mandab Strait on Monday, Tasnim reported earlier today.
The warship Alborz is part of Group 94 of the Navy and is equipped with long-range cruise missiles, as reported by Mehr News Agency. It is considered one of Iran's formidable defense destroyers currently deployed.
Tasnim further noted that the Iranian military vessel has carried out its regular mission of maintaining maritime security, combating pirates in high seas, and other tasks since 2009.
Read more: US warship in Red Sea nearly hits Gabon tanker in 'hysterical' attack
Alborz joined the naval fleet in Bandar Abbas (southern Iran) in 1972 and underwent various development and modernization processes, notably in 2020 when it was equipped with precision-guided missile systems.
In 2015, it entered the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and in 2019, it took part in the trilateral naval exercises involving Russia, China, and Iran.
Yemen enforces equation in support of Gaza
This development coincides with increasing tensions in the Red Sea, triggered by the United States forming a maritime military coalition with the stated objective of halting Yemeni operations in support of Gaza. This move by Iran complicates Washington’s alleged goal of securing the waterway and could be seen as a challenge to the US-led maritime task force, as reported by Bloomberg.
In its latest report, the Palestinian Health Ministry stated that the Israeli war has so far led to the martyrdom of nearly 22,000 Palestinians, over 70% of whom are women and children.
In November, Yemen imposed a ban on Israeli and "Israel"-bound ships from passing through the Red and Arabian seas, in response to the occupying entity's brutal war against Gaza. In the meantime, Sanaa repeatedly asserted that these actions will persist until the aggression ceases and adequate supplies of food and medicine are allowed into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Since then, the Yemeni army successfully detained the Galaxy Leader Israeli ship and targeted several others. Based on these developments, the world's leading shipping companies announced redirecting their vessels away from the Red Sea, without specifying a timeline for this decision.
In an unprecedented attack, the Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson announced on Sunday that a number of the country's naval units were martyred in a US helicopter attack while "carrying out their duty" toward Palestine in the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, the armed forces also announced the successful targeting of the Maersk Hangzhou ship, which was heading to the occupation entity's ports.
UK preparing to participate in US-led aggression on Yemen
Further escalating the matter, The Times reported on Sunday citing sources that the UK is preparing to join the United States and other Western countries to launch a series of air aggressions on Yemen or Yemeni-affiliated targets in the Red Sea.
Last November, the British government announced that it had dispatched the Royal Navy ship HMS Diamond under the pretext of "reinforcing regional security" in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
Read more: Yemen was once left alone, yet it didn't leave Palestine: Safieddine
According to the insider speaking to the newspaper, the synchronized attacks might see the participation of RAF warplanes for the inaugural time or the involvement of HMS Diamond.
The news site quoted the British Defense Secretary as saying, “If the Houthis continue to threaten lives and trade, we will be forced to take the necessary and appropriate action.”
According to the sources, The Times report claimed that Grant Shapps' comments were a "last warning" if Sanaa does not stop conducting operations, noting that the Western response would likely be “limited” but “significant”.
US will be direct target
Responding to the US-led militarization of the Red Sea, the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree issued a warning last week stating, "We caution the American enemy of the repercussions of any escalation against our nation and our people."
He emphasized that Yemen's stance on the Palestinian issue is "steadfast and principled, and will remain unchanged, regardless of developments or challenges," adding that the YAF are fully prepared and ready to counter any aggression.
Addressing Washington, the spokesperson said, "You should heed the warnings of the leader of the Ansar Allah movement [Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi]."
On that note, the Ansar Allah leader affirmed earlier that "the United States will be a direct target if it attacks Yemen," indicating that the Americans are aware of the gravity of this warning.
