We must stop Iran meddling in the Middle East as Yemen’s Houthi rebels try to control Red Sea
EVER since Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel, Iran’s fanatical mullahs have been intent on destabilising the Middle East.
First in the Red Sea, through which over ten per cent of world trade flows, Iranian-backed Houthis are lobbing missiles and drones at ships.
Those shipping lanes are crucial to our economy.
Second, Iran’s proxies in Iraq and Syria are regularly firing missiles at US and UK forces.
Two dozen US soldiers have been wounded in such attacks.
Third, Iran’s allies Hamas are in a vicious conflict with Israel after the October 7 slaughter of over 1,200 Israelis.
Why has Iran embarked on this course of action?
Iran does not want normalisation of relations between Israel and the Arab world.
It wants US and Western forces to leave the area and it wants to prevail in its struggle with Saudi Arabia.
Our attack on the Houthis this week was in response to over 100 attempted attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
If we let Iran or its Houthi sidekicks close the Red Sea, it will be a green light to other malign states to do the same to other shipping lanes.
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The stakes are high, but we must uphold the right of ships to navigate the seas.