Iran has issued a strong warning against targeting a ship believed to be providing intelligence for attacks on other vessels in the Red Sea. The ship, MV Behshad, is suspected of serving as a forward operating base for Iranian commandos. In response to recent U.S. strikes against its proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, Iran has cautioned against jeopardizing international maritime routes and assuming responsibility for potential future risks.
According to a video released by the Iranian Army’s Telegram channel, the Behshad is described as a “floating armory” involved in counteracting piracy in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. However, there is limited public knowledge of Iran’s participation in recent anti-piracy campaigns in the region. The video also features footage of American carrier group ships flashing red as if targeted, followed by a lowering of the U.S. flag.
The Behshad, registered as a commercial cargo ship with a Tehran-based company sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, allegedly provides electronic intelligence to the Houthi rebels. This support enables the Houthis to locate and target vessels in the Red Sea area. Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of the Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group, confirmed that Houthi forces are receiving intelligence assistance from Iran.
Military experts, including Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, have concluded that the Behshad and its sister vessel, Safiz, serve as transshipment points for Iranian weapons and are equipped with electronic intelligence devices used by the Houthis to locate their targets. These assessments are supported by NBC News’ monitoring of the Behshad, which has remained in the same spot in the south of the Red Sea since January 2023.
The attacks carried out by the Houthis on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have resulted in significant ship diversions and delays in the global supply chain. Shipping giants such as Maersk and MSC have resorted to sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, lengthening their journeys by one to two weeks and increasing costs.
While not directly mentioning the Behshad, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson accused Iran of deep involvement in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea in December. The recent video release by Iran is seen as a significant departure from their usual practice of delivering such warnings through back channels. It is speculated that Iran has gone public with its warning due to concerns about potential U.S. military action.
In response to the U.S. airstrikes on Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, refused to rule out further strikes inside Iran. However, he emphasized that the president is determined to respond forcefully to attacks on U.S. personnel without seeking a wider war in the Middle East.
Launching a direct attack on Iranian soil would be unprecedented for the U.S. military. The closest similarity is when President Ronald Reagan’s administration targeted Iranian ships and offshore oil platforms in the Persian Gulf in 1988. Reagan’s predecessor, Jimmy Carter, refrained from launching a full military strike against Iran during the hostage crisis in 1979 due to concerns about potential loss of life.
The Biden administration has chosen not to target the Behshad thus far, possibly to avoid triggering a direct conflict with Iran. Attacking any Iranian vessel would be considered a direct attack on Iran, as a ship is an extension of a state’s sovereign territory, making it extremely dangerous in terms of escalation.
While tensions continue to rise, the situation involving the MV Behshad remains unresolved. The international community will closely monitor developments as the United States and Iran navigate this delicate and potentially volatile situation.
Source link: F5mag.com