US Def Sec-Iran Support For Houthi Attacks On Shipping 'Must Stop'

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, speaking alongside Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, states that "Iran's support for Houthi attacks on commercial vessels must stop", and that "The US does not seek war and we urge Iran to take steps to de-escalate." Gallant states that the aerial strikes from Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait "...can drag the region into war."

• Lara Seligman at Politico posts on X: "The Pentagon is expected to announce tomorrow the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new task force to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea, per DOD official. The operation will be within the framework of the existing Combined Maritime Force 153, a partnership of 39 nations focused on counter piracy and counter terrorism in the Red Sea."
• The continued attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea has seen a number of major global shipping firms re-route cargoes via the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant time and cost pressures to the journeys, due to the security risk posed to those vessels either before entering or having traversed the Suez Canal.
• Austin on the security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories: 'Attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in West Bank must stop'. Austin on talks w/Israeli counterpart: 'We discussed pathways to a future Gaza after Hamas,' and says he 'Renews US calls for a two-state solution.'