After the continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, Iranian media, today, Saturday, quoted a commander in the Revolutionary Guard as saying that the Mediterranean Sea may be closed if the United States and its allies continue to commit “crimes” in Gaza, without explaining how. It will happen.

"Closing the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar"

In addition, the Tasnim News Agency quoted Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, Assistant Commander of the Revolutionary Guard for Coordination Affairs, as saying, “They will soon have to wait for the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar, and other waterways.”

He added that the Red Sea has turned into a nightmare for America and Israel.

"The Birth of New Forces"

Iran does not overlook the Mediterranean Sea, and it is not clear how the Revolutionary Guard can close it, but Naghdi spoke of “the birth of new resistance forces, and the closure of other waterways.”

Iran also does not support groups on the Mediterranean except for the Lebanese Hezbollah group and armed groups allied with it in Syria, and thus it is farthest from the Strait of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean.

"Iran is heavily involved"

For its part, the White House said yesterday, Friday, that Iran is “largely involved” in planning operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The White House published American intelligence information confirming that Tehran provided the Houthis with drones and missiles, in addition to tactical intelligence information.

"Visual analysis"

The White House explained that, through visual analysis, American agencies found almost identical characteristics between Iranian KAS-04 drones and those launched by the Houthis, in addition to similar characteristics between Iranian missiles and Houthi missiles, pointing out that the Houthis also rely on surveillance systems. Provided by Iran at sea.

Adrienne Watson, White House national security spokeswoman, said in a statement, “We have no reason to believe that Iran is trying to dissuade the Houthis from this reckless behavior.”

Watson said in the statement, “We know that Iran is deeply involved in planning operations against commercial ships in the Red Sea.”

Advanced equipment and intelligence assistance

It confirmed that "Iranian support for the Houthis is strong and includes the delivery of advanced military equipment, intelligence assistance, financial aid and training," and that Tehran has "delegated operational decisions to the Houthis."

She added, "This is consistent with Iran's long-term material support and encouragement of the Houthis' destabilizing activities in the region."

She considered that without help from Iran, the Houthis would face “difficulty in monitoring and striking” ships passing through the Red Sea.

Adrienne Watson added that the United States, which has formed a military coalition whose stated goal is to protect freedom of maritime navigation in the region, is conducting “intensive consultations with its allies and partners” on how to respond to these attacks.

Houthi attacks

The Houthis, who control large parts of the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula, including the capital, Sanaa, launched more than 100 attacks with drones and missiles targeting 10 commercial ships, according to the Pentagon.

With commercial traffic in the Red Sea disrupted, the United States recently announced the formation of a multinational naval force that includes more than 20 countries to protect ships.

In a show of force, the US aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the Gulf of Aden, with a series of media reports indicating that the administration of President Joe Biden is considering launching military strikes if attacks against ships continue.