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Joe Biden says he ‘will not hesitate to direct further measures’ to protect international waterways after attacks on Red Sea shippingMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US and the UK launched air and missile strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, aimed at halting attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Washington and London announced overnight.Joe Biden, the US president, said American and British forces,...

Ministers join video call to consider response to Red Sea attacks on shipsMiddle East crisis – live updatesRishi Sunak’s cabinet was meeting on Thursday evening amid expectations of UK involvement in imminent military strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.Ministers were scheduled to join a video call at 7.45pm, which was expected to discuss the UK response to recent attacks on ships in the...

Experts believe western allies most likely to target coastal sites in attempt to halt spate of Houthi attacks in Red SeaMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain and the US are poised to launch strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, as the leader of the rebel group promises to respond to any assault with fresh attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.Western defence sources...

Resolution calling for end to the attacks on shipping vessels by Yemen’s Houthis was adopted despite abstentions from Russia and ChinaHouthis call west’s bluff with renewed Red Sea drone assaultThe UN security council has called for an immediate end to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, adopting a resolution despite abstentions from Russia and China.The resolution also called on...

US and UK warships shoot down barrage of rockets, drones and cruise missiles fired at ships by Yemeni groupMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US and the UK have warned “there will be consequences” after warships from both countries repelled a barrage of 21 Houthi rockets, drones and cruise missiles apparently fired at western warships in the Red Sea.Antony Blinken, the US secretary of...

Barrage apparently targeting western warships suggest Hamas’s Yemeni allies are keen to test warnings from US, UK and other nationsMiddle East crisis – live updatesA week ago, the US, the UK and 10 other mostly western nations told Yemen’s Houthi rebels that they would “bear the consequences” if they launched further attacks on merchant shipping in the southern Red Sea. For a brief period...

In today’s newsletter: After events during the last few days, a nightmare scenario including Iran and the US is becoming ever more likely• Sign up here for our daily newsletter, First EditionGood morning. So far, the war in Gaza prompted by Hamas’s 7 October attack has not precipitated the nightmare scenario – a wider Middle East conflict drawing in the US and Iran. But...

Iran security chief praises ‘brave actions’ of Houthi rebels who have targeted Israeli-linked vessels in shipping laneIsrael-Gaza war – live updatesIran has rejected US and British calls to end its support for attacks by Houthi rebels on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea and claimed the accusations were baseless interference as its navy dispatched a destroyer to the vital shipping lane.The Alborz destroyer, operating...

Defence secretary says UK would not hesitate to take ‘direct action’ after US sank boats targeting a container shipBritain is reportedly considering airstrikes on Houthi rebels after the US said its navy sank three boats that had been targeting a container ship in the Red Sea.Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, said the government would not hesitate to take “direct action” to prevent further attacks...

Warships responded to call from Maersk Hangzhou when they came under fire from Houthi rebel-held part of Yemen, says US Central CommandAn American destroyer shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Yemen on Saturday as it responded to a call for help from a container ship that was hit separately, the US Central Command (Centcom) said.Centcom said the US destroyers Gravely and Laboon...