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

Hunter Biden business associate to testify on Biden’s...

January 25, 2024

I can’t make you love me

September 30, 2023

Federal judge blocks Arkansas law banning librarians from...

July 31, 2023

Why Hunter Biden stood in the Senate ‘swamp’...

December 16, 2023

Here’s what’s in Hunter Biden’s new California indictment

December 9, 2023

RFK Jr promotes workout challenge for voters as...

January 24, 2024

Democrat Rep Eric Swalwell calls House Republicans’ impeachment...

September 26, 2023

Dems lose it over GOP plan to rename...

April 4, 2024

Cory Booker, staff safe after sheltering in place...

October 9, 2023

Biden’s Pentagon nominee grilled on selling of border...

January 25, 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

    • How I Triple My Returns With 3x Leveraged ETFs!

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

    • EVs Now Emit 73 percent Less Than Gasoline Cars Over Their Lifetime, Says ICCT Study

    • Cygnus Metals Limited: Issue of Performance Rights

    • FPX Nickel Announces Share-Based Compensation Grant

    • Blue Lagoon Resources Officially Opens Dome Mountain Gold Mine in British Columbia

    Categories

    • Business (1,287)
    • Investing (2,662)
    • Politics (3,699)
    • Stocks (1,711)
    • 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