Iran Denies Being Involved in the Houthi Seizure of Israeli-Linked Ship in the Red Sea

 Iran denied responsibility for the seizure of an Israeli cargo ship in the southern Red Sea that was taken over by Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday at a press conference, “We have said multiple times that resistance groups in the region act independently and spontaneously based on their interests and that of their people."

On Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement, "This is another Iranian act of terrorism that represents an escalation in Iran's belligerence against the citizens of the free world, with concomitant international ramifications vis-a-vis the security of global shipping routes."

Yahya Sarea, the military spokesperson for the Houthi group, confirmed the group's responsibility for seizing the Israeli ship, saying, "It was moved to the Yemeni coast." He said the group will target all vessels owned or operated by Israeli companies or carrying the Israeli flag.He called on all countries to withdraw their citizens working on the crews of any such ships.

The seized ship is Galaxy Leader is partially possessed by Israeli tycoon Abraham Ungar, the founder of Ray Shipping Ltd., and is known as one of the wealthiest businessmen in Israel.

The Iran-backed Houthis have fired several long-range missiles and drones at Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian Hamas fighters in Gaza.