CNN
—
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that “there will be consequences” for continued attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
“I’m not going to telegraph or foretell that something like that might happen,” Blinken said at a news conference in Bahrain. “We have been clear, and we have been clear with more than 20 other countries, that if this situation continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences.”
Blinken’s warning comes as the Iranian-backed extremist group based in Yemen shows no signs of easing tensions and the possibility of regional escalation looms large.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy shot down 21 Houthi missiles and drones fired from Yemen, U.S. Central Command said, in one of the largest Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in recent months. became.
Centcom said no ships were damaged in the attack and no one was injured due to the large-scale drone and missile launches.
The Houthis have recently carried out a number of attacks in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, seizing commercial ships and their crews. The attack has already affected the global economy, effectively shutting down one of the world’s major trade routes through which most container ships travel.
In recent weeks, there have been multiple signs that the United States is considering taking stronger military action in response to the Houthi offensive. It is also in the process of searching for back channels to encourage Iran and the Houthis to de-escalate tensions.
Blinken said Wednesday that “it is especially important that we respond when we see something like an invasion by the Houthis” in an effort to prevent further escalation of regional conflict.
“This represents a clear threat to the interests of countries around the world. And it is important that the international community comes together to respond.”
On Wednesday, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps warned: “We will take the necessary action to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”
A Western official told CNN that the United States is “considering all options” to try to build as much international consensus as possible on the need to stop the Houthis.
Last week, the United States and 12 other countries issued a joint statement condemning the attack on the ship. A senior U.S. government official suggested the statement was likely the coalition’s final warning.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a U.S.-led resolution on Wednesday condemning “in the strongest terms the at least 20 attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships and ships since November 19, 2023.” , demands that the Houthis “immediately cease all actions.” such an attack. ”
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Oren Lieberman contributed reporting.
