A U.S. warship heading to Yemen is joining a blossoming U.S. Navy presence in the Gulf of Aden in preparation for blocking any shipments from Iran to rebels in Yemen.
The USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier, along with its escort ship, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, is headed to the Arabian Sea to join the blockade.
A fleet of eight Iranian ships is on the move toward Yemen, possibly carrying guns for the Houthi rebels fighting in the country.
"We have seen evidence that the Iranians are supplying weapons and other armed support to the Houthis
in Yemen,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told The Associated Press. “That support will only contribute to greater violence in that country. These are exactly the kind of destabilizing activities that we have in mind when we raise concerns about Iran's destabilizing activities in the Middle East."
The escalating crisis in Yemen comes as the U.S. and other nations work on an Iranian deal that would end the country’s nuclear program.
"In recent days, the U.S. Navy has increased its presence in this area as a result of the current instability in Yemen," a Navy statement said. “The purpose of these operations is to ensure the vital shipping lanes in the region remain open and safe. The United States remains committed to its regional partners and to maintaining security in the maritime environment."
Houthi rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the group’s fighters would not leave the cities they are holding or back down in any way.
“Anyone who thinks we will surrender is dreaming," he said in a televised address. “It's the right of the Yemeni people to stand against the attacks in all possible means as long as the attacks continue. After our people move and react against the attacks and killing of children and women, we do not want to hear any voices and cries."