NEW YORK CITY: The US on Monday accused Iran of fueling maritime insecurity in the Red Sea by supplying weapons and other materials to the Houthis in Yemen, following the latest deadly attacks on commercial vessels last month.

Speaking during a UN Security Council debate on maritime security, Washington’s acting ambassador, Dorothy Shea, condemned the Houthis for the recent attacks that resulted in the sinking of two commercial ships, the deaths of crew members and the taking of hostages.

Iran “poses a threat to maritime security through its support for the Houthis and other terrorist groups and its seizure of vessels transiting international waters,” Shea told council members.

“Just last month, the Houthis attacked and sank two commercial vessels, resulting in loss of life, injury to sailors, and the capture of hostages.”

She reiterated the US demand that Tehran releases all detained vessels, including the MSC Aries, a container ship linked to an Israeli billionaire. It was seized by Iranian forces in April 2024 while transiting the Gulf of Oman, in what Tehran described as retaliatory action following Israeli airstrikes in Syria.

The vessel, chartered by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, had a crew of 25, mostly Indian nationals. They were held for several weeks by Iranian authorities before being released but the ship remains impounded.

“The United States calls for Iran to release the vessels it still holds, including the MSC Aries,” Shea said, as she urged all UN member states to comply with the arms embargo on the Houthis.

She accused Iran and other countries of violating this embargo by supplying the group with rockets, munitions and other components used in attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

“This council must impose meaningful consequences for sanctions violations and seek additional ways to cut off the international funding and resources fueling the Houthi weapons programs,” Shea said.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2216, adopted in 2015, all member states are prohibited from supplying arms, ammunition and related materiel to Houthi forces. The embargo remains in place despite calls from some humanitarian groups for an easing of restrictions to meet civilian needs.

The UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, established in 2016, is tasked with inspecting all commercial cargo entering Yemen through Red Sea ports to ensure compliance with the embargo.

Despite this measure, several reports by the UN’s Panel of Experts have documented the continuing flow of arms to the Houthis, including missile components and drones believed to originate in Iran.

This year, the US and the UK launched limited airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen following a string of maritime attacks. The group’s campaign has continued, however, demonstrating access to a growing arsenal of anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles.

Shea said the US has “overwhelmingly borne the costs” of defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and called for greater sharing of this burden, including financial support for the Verification and Inspection Mechanism.