US says Iran ultimately responsible for attacks on commercial ships in Red Sea

WASHINGTON

Iran is the "ultimate party responsible" for recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the White House said Monday after a series of ships came under attack over the weekend.

The US is currently in discussion with other countries about the formation of "maritime task forces" aimed at preventing additional attacks, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House. That would include ships from the US, as well as partners, whom Sullivan did not identify.

"What we are doing now is engaging in intensive consultations with partners and allies to determine the appropriate next steps," he said.

"We have made clear that the entire world needs to step up together, not the US alone, but all of us working together to deal with this emerging challenge that the Houthi present, backed by Iran. We're going to take appropriate action in consultation with others, and we will do so at a time in place of our choosing," he added.

The Pentagon, however, said three ships – the M/V Unity Explorer, the M/V Number 9 and the M/V Sophie II – had come under anti-ship ballistic missile attacks in the Red Sea on Sunday.

The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Carney responded to distress calls from the ships, destroying a total of three inbound drones as it approached the vessels Sunday afternoon, US Central Command said in a statement.

Sullivan said the US has not determined whether the Carney was deliberately targeted by the drone, but said it "took prudent action in taking down those three UAVs."

"We will continue, as we go forward, to consult very closely with allies and partners to determine and take all appropriate responses," he said.

The maritime attacks coincide with Israel’s relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have been ongoing since Palestinian group Hamas launched a cross-border attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Over 1,200 people were killed in the attack, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, nearly 16,000 people have been killed, roughly 70% of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave. Roughly 1.8 million Palestinians have been displaced, representing about 80% of Gaza's population, according to the UN.