Cooper accused Iran of providing the Houthis with intelligence information (American media)
Commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Charles Bradford Cooper, indicated on Monday that Houthi missiles and drones could hit their target in the Red Sea within 75 seconds once they are launched, while his forces only have between 9 and 15 seconds to make a decision to shoot down a missile or drone when the Houthis launch it.
Cooper confirmed - in an interview with the American CBS channel - that no one has ever targeted commercial ships or US Navy ships with ballistic missiles.
Cooper accused Iran of supporting the Houthis in Yemen with intelligence information to target the US army, but the White House stressed that the United States is not seeking to engage in a war with Tehran.
It is noteworthy that the US Fifth Fleet is a fleet affiliated with the Navy, and is based in the territorial waters opposite Bahrain.
It is also noteworthy that since January 12, American and British warplanes have launched raids on Houthi military sites in various parts of Yemen in response to attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
On the other hand, the Houthis confirm that these strikes do not affect their military capabilities, and that they will continue their attacks, which began in mid-November, on Israeli ships or those heading to Israeli ports until the Israeli aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip stops and aid enters.
Tensions in the Red Sea have entered an escalation phase since the Houthis directly targeted an American ship on January 9.
Source: Al Jazeera + Anatolia