Two Vessels Damaged in Attacks Off Yemen's Hodeidah

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
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Two Vessels Damaged in Attacks Off Yemen's Hodeidah

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT

Two vessels sustained damage after being hit with suspected Houthi missiles and a sea drone off Yemen's Hodeidah port early on Tuesday, maritime security agencies and sources monitoring the area said.
Both vessels reported that their crews were safe.
One of the vessels, which sources said was a Panama-flagged tanker, reported being hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.
It was damaged on its port side ballast tank, British security firm Ambrey said, adding that it was proceeding to its port of call.
The vessel had earlier reported seeing four splashes on the water close to it, which a maritime security source said were attempted missile attacks.

The second vessel, which sources said was a Liberia-flagged bulker, sustained damage after it was hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, Ambrey and maritime security sources said. The firm said it was bound for Suez.

Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They have seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.

The last attack on a merchant ship by the Houthis came on Sept. 2.
The Houthis also continue to launch missiles targeting Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes from the Israelis this weekend on Hodeidah.
 



US Sees Indications of Imminent Iranian Missile Attack on Israel

People take shelter during an air raid siren after which Israel's military said a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 28, 2024. (Reuters)
People take shelter during an air raid siren after which Israel's military said a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 28, 2024. (Reuters)
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US Sees Indications of Imminent Iranian Missile Attack on Israel

People take shelter during an air raid siren after which Israel's military said a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 28, 2024. (Reuters)
People take shelter during an air raid siren after which Israel's military said a missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 28, 2024. (Reuters)

The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel that could be at least as large as a strike that Tehran staged earlier this year, US officials said on Tuesday.

The United States is actively supporting preparations to defend Israel against a new Iranian missile attack, a senior White House official said.

"A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran," the official said.

A second US official said that the Iranian strike could be as large or potentially bigger than one on April 14 in which Tehran launched more than 300 missiles and drones.

Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The April attack - the first-ever direct Iranian strike on Israel - was in retaliation for what Iran called an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officers, including two senior commanders.

It caused only modest damage inside Israel due to air defense interceptions not only by Israel, but by the United States, Britain and other allies in the region.

The US warning of a looming Iranian strike followed Israel's announcement that its forces staged raids into southern Lebanon in a limited incursion as it pursues two weeks of strikes against Hezbollah militants that have killed the Iran-backed group's leader and senior commanders.

Israeli leaders have vowed to pursue operations against the fighters until it is safe for civilians to return to their homes in northern Israel from which they were evacuated after Hezbollah began missile strikes on Oct. 8, a day after Hamas' assault into Israel.

The Hamas assault triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive that has devastated Gaza.

The Pentagon has said that the United States would come to Israel's defense if Iran launched another attack.

It has moved thousands of additional US forces into the region to bolster its ability to defend Israel and US forces in the region. Pentagon officials say it is even better prepared for a new Iranian attack than it was in April.

An Iranian attack, should it occur, could pose a major challenge to President Joe Biden's administration goal for his Middle East policy: preventing the Israel-Hamas war from ballooning into a regional conflict.