Iranian Warship’s Entry into Red Sea Coincides with Houthis’ Attacks on Commercial Ships

Reportedly, Iran’s Alborz warship has entered the Red Sea. Its appearance coincides with increased tensions along the vital trade route due to continuous attacks on vessels in retaliation for the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Although it was not immediately apparent when, the ship had entered the Red Sea via the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to a report published on Monday by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

While Tasnim did not provide specifics about Alborz’s role, he did state that Iranian warships have been working in open waters since 2009 to protect commercial lanes, fight piracy, and perform other duties.

According to Iran’s Press TV, the destroyer of the Alvand class was a member of the 34th fleet of the Iranian navy and was used for patrolling the Gulf of Aden, the northern Indian Ocean, and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait as early as 2015.

The information was released as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group was returning to Norfolk, Virginia from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where it had been stationed after Hamas’ devastating attack on Israel on October 7.

After the strikes on October 7, the Ford was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to be within striking distance of Israel.

The carrier stayed in the Mediterranean as the ships that accompanied it entered the Red Sea, where the Houthis, who are supported by Iran and Yemen, have been attacking ships since November to support Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization, in its conflict with Israel.

As a result, a large number of prominent maritime firms have diverted their ships around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, incurring enormous expenses and delays.

Maersk had to halt all shipping through the Red Sea for 48 hours after Houthi militants assaulted the container ship with missiles and small boats on Saturday and Sunday.

Fox News’s This story was supported by Reuters and Greg Wehner.