Iranian naval forces commander Shahram Irani announced that Iranian warships have commenced escorting their merchant vessels in the Red Sea, particularly in the southern approaches to the Suez Canal. The Frigate Jamaran is already positioned in the Gulf of Aden.
This move comes in the wake of Iranian strikes on Israel and attacks against ships allegedly linked to Israel, leading Tehran to anticipate a potential retaliatory response from the Jewish state.
The tension in the Red Sea escalated months ago when Iranian-backed Houthis declared support for Hamas and declared war on Israel. In response, an international coalition, led by the United States, was formed to safeguard freedom of navigation in the region.
