Iran: Yemen’s Houthi Rebels to Permit Aid for Tanker Ablaze in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have consented to the entry of tugboats and rescue ships to assist the Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, which remains on fire in the Red Sea. This decision was announced by Iran’s U.N. Mission, citing humanitarian and environmental concerns.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon reported that efforts by an undisclosed “third party” to send two tugboats to the endangered Sounion had been obstructed by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder described the Houthis’ actions as showing a shocking disregard for human life and the environmental risks posed by the incident.

The Sounion was attacked last week, marking one of the most severe assaults by the Houthis in recent weeks. This attack is part of a broader pattern of aggression targeting shipping routes in the Red Sea, a direct response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Such assaults have disrupted the vital $1 trillion trade that typically flows through this corridor and have also hindered crucial aid shipments to war-torn Yemen and Sudan.

Iran’s U.N. Mission has claimed that the Sounion was transporting oil to “the Israeli regime”. Meanwhile, Ryder has indicated that the tanker appears to be leaking oil into the Red Sea, which is home to delicate coral reefs and vital marine life.

The Sounion is reported to contain 150,000 tons of crude oil, presenting significant navigational and environmental risks, according to the European Union’s Aspides naval mission in the region.

In a statement released Wednesday, Iran’s U.N. Mission mentioned that several unnamed countries had contacted the Houthis, seeking a temporary ceasefire to allow tugboats and rescue vessels to access the site. They noted that Ansar Allah, the official name of the Houthis, had agreed to this arrangement.

No specifics were provided regarding when this truce might commence.

The Sounion suffered multiple attacks last week. A French destroyer, part of Operation Aspides, managed to rescue the vessel’s 25 crew members and four private security personnel. These individuals were subsequently taken to Djibouti for safety.

Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October, the Houthis have targeted over 80 vessels using missiles and drones. Their campaign includes seizing one ship and sinking two others, leading to the deaths of four sailors. Additionally, missiles and drones have been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or have failed to hit their intended targets.

The rebels assert that their attacks are directed at ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., intending to pressure these nations to cease their military actions against Hamas in Gaza. However, many vessels attacked have little or no ties to the conflict, including some that were en route to Iran.

The developing situation continues to raise alarms regarding both human safety and environmental protection in the region.

Source: Associated Press