The European Union's Aspides naval force has warned ships with links to Israel, the United States or Saudi Arabia to avoid the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, amid growing Houthi threats to international shipping.
Yemen's Houthi movement announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia on Monday and followed through on Tuesday with drone and missile strikes on two Saudi oil tankers — the first attacks under the new blockade.
Maritime tracking data shows tanker traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has dropped sharply, with vessels diverting to longer routes.
Blake Sifton reports from Tel Aviv.
IN: “Oil tankers in...”
OUT: “...coast of Africa.”
DUR: 30 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0723-1054sifton-redseablockade1.mp3
(ALT)
Blake Sifton, reporting from Tel Aviv, says some US officials are worried that opening a new front against the Houthis could overstretch American forces already engaged in the war with Iran.
IN: “Saudi Arabia has...”
OUT: “...war with Iran.”
DUR: 27 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0723-1054sifton-redseablockade2.mp3
(ALT)
Blake Sifton in Tel Aviv says US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit bridges and power plants in Iran for every ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz — and Tehran has promised to respond in kind.
IN: “President Trump, of...”
OUT: “...for an eye.”
DUR: 24 seconds
http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0723-1054sifton-redseablockade3.mp3