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Two ships recently attacked by Iranian backed Houthis are abandoned with one on fire and one taking on water, i.e. slowly sinking. A ship registered in the Cayman Islands rescued the crew from the M/V Verbena. An Iranian ship was in the area and refused to render aid.

Meanwhile, Russia, Iran and India have set up an alternative route to the Red Sea and Suez Canal: “India Ports Global (IPGL) is India State-owned and was “formed to develop and run Chabahar port in Iran” https://archive.is/HBbsp “India seals deal to operate Iran’s Chabahar port”, May 14, 2024 5:00 AM By Anjana Pasricha https://www.voanews.com/a/india-seals-deal-to-operate-iran-s-chabahar-port/7610204.html “Russia and Iran eye trade route with India to bypass sanctions: Project, two decades in the making, would bypass Europe as tensions mount” By Shuntaro Fukutomi, Nikkei staff writer January 11, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20240611182917/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Russia-and-Iran-eye-trade-route-with-India-to-bypass-sanctions

“U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM
Update on M/V Verbena

On June 13, Iranian-backed Houthis struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier in two separate missile attacks. Today, at approximately 1:45 p.m. (Sanna time), the crew issued a distress call indicating they were abandoning the ship. M/V Anna Meta responded to render assistance. Anna Meta has recovered the mariners and is transporting them to safety. The crew abandoned ship due to continued fires and an inability to control them.

The Iranian frigate IRIN Jamaran was eight nautical miles from M/V Verbena and did not respond to the distress call.

This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities. 12:15 AM · Jun 16, 2024” https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1802087678415929507 (12:15 am in Jerusalem and Kyiv, which is minus 7 hrs or 5:15 pm on June 15 at CENTCOM headquarters in Florida)

“U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM
June 14 U.S. Central Command Update

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea.

Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) launched from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen over the Red Sea.

Separately, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed seven Iranian-backed Houthi radars in a Houthi controlled area in Yemen. These radars allow the Houthis to target maritime vessels and endanger commercial shipping.

It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels
4:02 AM · Jun 15, 2024” https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1801782259902513657
4:02 am in Jerusalem and 9:02 pm on June 14 at Centcom headquarters.

“U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM
Update on M/V Tutor and M/V Verbena

On June 12, Iranian-backed Houthis struck M/V Tutor, a Liberian flagged, Greek owned and operated bulk cargo carrier, with an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) resulting in severe flooding and damage to the engine room. One civilian mariner remains missing following the attack. The crew abandoned ship and were rescued by USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and partner forces. M/V Tutor remains in the Red Sea and is slowly taking on water.

Yesterday, Iranian-backed Houthis struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan flagged, Ukrainian owned, Polish operated bulk cargo carrier, in two separate missile attacks resulting in fires on board. One civilian mariner was medically evacuated due to severe injuries. The crew of M/V Verbena extinguished the fire and have resumed their transit in the Gulf of Aden.

This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. The ongoing threat to international commerce caused by the Houthis in fact makes it harder to deliver badly needed assistance to the people of Yemen as well as Gaza. The United States will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities. CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities. 3:06 AM · Jun 15, 2024” https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1801768195776303309 (Still June 14 at Centcom headquarters.)

“PRESS RELEASE | June 13, 2024
Houthis Strike M/V Verbena in Gulf of Aden, USS Philippine Sea Medically Evacuates Injured Mariner
USCENTCOM
June 13, 2024

Release Number 20240613 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. – Today the Iranian-backed Houthis launched two anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) into the Gulf of Aden. Both missiles struck M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged, Ukrainian-owned, Polish-operated bulk cargo carrier. M/V Verbena most recently docked in Malaysia and was enroute to Italy carrying wood construction material.

M/V Verbena reported damage and subsequent fires on board. The crew continues to fight the fire. One civilian mariner was severely injured during the attack.

Aircraft from USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) medically evacuated the injured mariner to a partner force ship nearby for medical attention.

This continued reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and yet they are targeting and threatening the lives of third country nationals who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. The ongoing threat to the ability to safely transit the region caused by the Houthis makes it harder to deliver critical assistance to the people of Yemen as well as to Gaza. U.S. CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities. https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3806589/houthis-strike-mv-verbena-in-gulf-of-aden-uss-philippine-sea-medically-evacuate/

Russia, Iran and India have an alternative competitive route to the Red Sea and Suez Canal:
India Ports Global (IPGL) is India State-owned and was “formed to develop and run Chabahar port in Iran” https://archive.is/HBbsp

“India seals deal to operate Iran’s Chabahar port”, May 14, 2024 5:00 AM By Anjana Pasricha “Indian stakes in Chabahar have strategic significance — they are part of India’s outreach to Iran. India will invest $120 million in infrastructure development and extend a $250 million line of credit to Iran. The “long-term contract symbolizes the enduring trust and effective partnership between India and Iran,” Indian minister Sonawal said.” https://www.voanews.com/a/india-seals-deal-to-operate-iran-s-chabahar-port/7610204.html

“Russia and Iran eye trade route with India to bypass sanctions: Project, two decades in the making, would bypass Europe as tensions mount” By Shuntaro Fukutomi, Nikkei staff writer January 11, 2023 07:39 JST DUBAI — “Russia and Iran are working on a new shipping corridor that cuts Europe and its sanctions out of the picture, and are looking to partner with India, which has kept its distance from the Western-led isolation campaign against the two countries. The plan is an answer to the U.S.-led push for “friendshoring,” an effort to relocate supply chains to allies and friendly countries”. https://web.archive.org/web/20240611182917/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Russia-and-Iran-eye-trade-route-with-India-to-bypass-sanctions (Except US government officials and members of the US Congress continue to pretend that India is our friend, which is patently false. Are they compromised or do they have IQs of Zero Kelvin (Minus 273)?

“Russia and Iran Are Building a Trade Route That Defies Sanctions: The nations are investing upwards of $20 billion to ease passage of goods along waterways and railways” Story by Jonathan Tirone and Golnar Motevalli Graphics by Sam Dodge and Demetrios Pogkas December 21, 2022, 5:01 AM UTC, Bloomberg: “Russia and Iran are building a new transcontinental trade route stretching from the eastern edge of Europe to the Indian Ocean, a 3,000–kilometer (1,860–mile) passage that’s beyond the reach of any foreign intervention. The two countries are spending billions of dollars to speed up delivery of cargos along rivers and railways linked by the Caspian Sea. Ship–tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show dozens of Russian and Iranian vessels—including some that are subject to sanctions—already plying the route….” https://archive.is/BsrHx