Iranian Warship Enters Southern Hemisphere Waters Amid Houthi Threat To Attack Ships

Iran’s state media reported that a warship belonging to Iran has embarked on a mission in the oceanic waters in the wake of a warning by the Houthis that they could renew attacks on vessels sailing in the region.

The aircraft carrier operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Shahid Mahdavi, has reached the waters of the southern hemisphere, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, without specifying the exact location.

Fars said that the 240-meter-long vessel was on an unrevealed mission and referred to the voyage as a milestone, commemorating the first-ever journey of an Iran-led frigate below the equator.

This development took place after a caution message from the Iran-supported Houthis in Yemen that they may target the vessels in the eastern Mediterranean in a move against the ongoing Israeli campaign in Gaza.

In February, Iran reportedly recalled a flotilla it had sent to the waters of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden amid attacks led by the Houthis on commercial vessels in the region.

The IRGC, earlier in the year, shot long-range ballistic missiles during a naval drill.

The vessel is outfitted with unique radar and air defence systems, per Fars.

Since November, the Houthis have carried out over 50 strikes on ships, seizing one and sinking another, according to the United States Maritime Administration.

Houthis launched a drone strike on the MSC Orion container vessel in the Indian Ocean as part of their campaign against international commerce in solidarity with Palestinians against the ongoing Israel’s offensives in Gaza.

Reference: Firstpost

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Source: Maritime Shipping News