US and 11 partners issue joint statement calling for immediate end to ‘illegal’ Houthi attacks in Red Sea

“Ongoing attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable and profoundly destabilising.”

Iran sends warship to Red Sea after US sinks Houthi boats

The statement comes after several reports that US President Joe Biden’s administration is considering direct strikes on the rebels if the attacks continue.

Signatories of the statement included Britain, which on Monday issued its own warning to the Houthis of “direct action”.

The only regional country to sign was Bahrain, the tiny Gulf state that has particularly tense relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis.

The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Israel-Gaza war by targeting ships with links to Israel.

The United States has sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, to the area and earlier announced a coalition of countries to protect movement in the Red Sea, through which 12 per cent of global trade passes.

Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse