TEHRAN – Iranian official has asserted that the U.S. and Israel’s accusations against Tehran are politically motivated, denying claims of being “deeply involved” in attacks by Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani dismissed the accusations, saying, “Yemeni resistance are acting on their own.” The official refuted claims of Iran placing ships in international waters, branding them as false and politically driven.

He warned that any action by the Zionist regime threatening national security in international waters would trigger an unexpected response. Bagheri Kani also expressed concerns about the formation of a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb, stating that it would further complicate and destabilize the situation. 

Highlighting that Iran explicitly informed Washington of not issuing directives for its allies in the resistance axis, Bagheri Kani addressed concerns regarding Iran's involvement with Ansarullah.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron accused Iran of destructive activities in the UK and West Asia, connecting it to recent actions by Ansarullah targeting commercial ships owned by the Zionist regime in the Red Sea. Cameron called for robust deterring actions against Iran, emphasizing the need to convey a clear message that such actions are intolerable.

Amid Iran's repeated assertions that regional resistance groups operate independently for the security of their countries and the support of the oppressed Palestinian people, Sana’a stated that it targets only ships heading to occupied territories and ensures freedom of navigation for other ships in the Red Sea.

Reuters reported on Friday that at least two ships transporting oil or oil products between the U.S. Gulf Coast and India were rerouting from the Red Sea. The oil products tanker "Aigeorgis," owned by British Petroleum and carrying diesel, changed its course from the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. The "Sonangol Cabinda," chartered by Equinor to carry crude oil from Texas to India, did a 180-degree turn in the middle of the Red Sea on Thursday and was moving through the Suez Canal toward the Mediterranean, according to LSEG tracking data.

Ansarullah, claiming their attacks support Palestinians under siege by Israel in Gaza, have targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, prompting shippers to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.

MAS