TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday slammed the latest round of American and British attacks on Yemeni soils, saying the airstrikes do nothing to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea.  

“Their purpose is to provide an opportunity for the Zionist regime to commit more killings in Gaza,” Nasser Kanaani said during an interview with Iranian media. 

On Monday, U.S. and British forces, backed by Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, launched strikes at eight different locations within Yemen, as indicated in a joint statement signed by the six countries. A senior U.S. military official revealed that approximately 25 to 30 munitions were deployed, including from warplanes launched from a U.S. aircraft carrier.

The latest round of strikes against Yemeni soil was the eighth in the past month. The West claims the attacks aim to prevent Yemen from targeting Israeli-owned ships or vessels heading to the occupied territories in the Red Sea. 

“The Yemeni action is based on the decision of the Yemeni National Salvation Government and in line with their stated goal to stop the war of the Zionist regime against the oppressed people of Palestine and the helpless citizens of Gaza,” Kanaani stated before calling on Washington and London to increase pressure on Israel to cease its crimes in Gaza, instead of attacking a war-torn impoverished country.