Money Control Place
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Investing

Money Control Place

Politics

Biden official gets heated in clash with reporter who asks if US has escalated Gaza war with Red Sea presence

by January 4, 2024
January 4, 2024
Biden official gets heated in clash with reporter who asks if US has escalated Gaza war with Red Sea presence

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby got heated in an exchange with a reporter who suggested the United States has provoked Iran with its naval presence in the Middle East.

During Wednesday’s press briefing, the reporter asked Kirby if President Biden has widened and escalated the Israel-Hamas war by deploying naval forces to counter attacks by Iran-backed proxy groups on shipping vessels.

‘That’s certainly turning things upside down, isn’t it?’ a bewildered Kirby responded. ‘Wouldn’t you consider provocation launching ballistic missiles and drones at commercial [vessels]?’

There have been roughly two dozen attacks on international shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since Oct. 19. The Houthis say their attacks are aimed at Israel-linked ships to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Most recently, the Houthis struck a Maersk container vessel on Saturday. Following that attack, a U.S.-led coalition of 13 maritime nations has vowed consequences for the Houthis should they continue to harass vessels in the Red Sea.

Last month, the U.S. announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international initiative to protect commercial ships traveling through the Red Sea. Since then, approximately 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the region, and none had been hit by drone or missile strikes until Saturday.

Kirby said Prosperity Guardian is a ‘defensive posture’ adopted in response to the Houthi attacks.

‘So you’re denying then that there has been an escalation since the Red Sea patrol,’ the reporter asked.

‘I totally disagree with the premise of your question,’ Kirby replied. ‘It wasn’t the United States who decided to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis did that. And who are the Houthis backed by? Iran. As I’ve said before, Iran provided the missiles the Houthis are using. We are simply in a defensive posture to protect that commercial shipping and we have in the last 48 hours.’ 

Undeterred, the reporter challenged Kirby and pointed out that Iran launched a frigate into the Red Sea in apparent response to the U.S. 

‘I ask you again, has the United States’ actions supported an escalation as a result?’ she said. 

‘No,’ Kirby answered. 

The U.S.-led coalition opposed to the Houthi attacks consists of the U.K., Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and New Zealand. In a joint statement, the nations called attacks on trade in the Red Sea ‘unacceptable’ and ‘illegal.’ 

Currently, there are five warships from the U.S., France and the U.K. patrolling the waters of the southern Red Sea and the western Gulf of Aden. The ships have so far shot down a total of 17 drones and four anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Canada Nickel Completes Private Placement of Flow-Through Units & Announces Agnico Eagle as an Investor
next post
IDF says Israeli hostage killed during failed rescue attempt in Gaza: report

Related Posts

White House bashes GOP plan to shift funds...

October 21, 2023

Biden lets American military info slip during live...

July 10, 2023

Hunter Biden’s ‘sugar brother’ goes scorched Earth on...

January 20, 2024

Patty Murray went from a ‘mom in tennis...

October 6, 2023

Ramaswamy unleashes first endorsement after announcing his ‘American...

February 15, 2024

Biden admin takes aim at hunters in latest...

June 23, 2023

Whatever happened to … the investigations into the...

July 14, 2023

Biden slams ‘MAGAnomics,’ ignores Hunter’s legal woes in...

September 15, 2023

UFO whistleblowers to testify unknown objects are ‘far...

July 26, 2023

GOP rebels derail Johnson’s border security pitch over...

April 19, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

    • Lithium Market Update: Q3 2025 in Review

    • Despatch of SPP Offer Documents

    • Crypto Market Update: FalconX to Buy 21Shares, Senate Democrats Call Out Trump Envoy

    • Apollo Silver

    • Blackrock Silver Commences Phase 2 Hydrology Program, Geotechnical Evaluation and Seismic Survey on the Tonopah West Project

    Categories

    • Business (1,401)
    • Investing (3,062)
    • Politics (3,699)
    • Stocks (1,828)
    • Uncategorized (20)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: MoneyControlPlace.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 moneycontrolplace.com | All Rights Reserved