Yahya Saree, a spokesman for the Iranian-backed group, said in a statement posted on website X that Houthi militants struck the Star Iris vessel with “suitable naval missiles” in the Red Sea.
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel belongs to the US-registered Star Bulk Carriers Corp. and was travelling south through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
The vessel was attacked by two anti-ship ballistic missiles. The UK Navy said there was “minor damage” and all crew members were safe. It also said in a statement that the ship was on its way to its next port of call.
The Houthis have carried out a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November. They said their actions were revenge for Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip. The attack on the Star Iris vessel is the first incident involving a maritime vessel in the past few days.
The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea journeys and opt for a longer and more expensive route around Africa.
