The US Discusses The Establishment Of A Multinational Task Force In The Red Sea, Iran: If They Are Not Rational, They Will Face Problems

Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency/Erfan Kouchari)

JAKARTA - Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned that the proposed US-backed multinational task force to protect shipping in the Red Sea would face tremendous problems, Iranian media said.

Defense Minister Ashtiani's comments came after the United States last week said it was in talks with other countries to form a task force, following a spate of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi groups in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea.

"If they take irrational actions, they will be faced with extraordinary issues," Ashtiani told ISNA published on Thursday.

"No one can take action in an area where we have dominance," he said, referring to the Red Sea.

Defense Minister Ashtiani did not specify what action Iran was ready to take in response to the formation of the Red Sea task force supported by Uncle Sam's country.

Earlier, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week Washington was in talks with "other countries" about establishing a " maritime task force to ensure safe ship travel in the Red Sea" but gave no further details.

Yemen's Houthis, allied with Iran, have entered the Israeli-Hamas conflict by attacking ships on important shipping lines, firing drones and missiles at Israel more than 1,000 miles from their territory in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Separately, the American Navy and France have strengthened their presence in the Red Sea to protect ships from the risk of confiscation or attack by the Houthis.

Earlier this month, Britain confirmed the Royal Navy would send one of the world's most advanced warships, HMS Diamond (034) to the Gulf region, along with the situation in the Red Sea.