Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

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
Blackburn demands Durbin subpoena unredacted Epstein flight logs as Senate Judiciary Committee’s ‘first act’
next post
Maximising Efficiency and Productivity: The Critical Role of Outsourced IT Support for Businesses

You may also like

Democrat bill gives immigrants instant access to federal...

June 16, 2023

New blue state law gives government increased power...

July 30, 2023

Hawley presses FBI to probe alleged Biden-era targeting...

March 26, 2025

Flashback: Fetterman Says “It’s Impossible to Say” If...

September 21, 2022

Pathetic Liz Cheney Endorses Democrat in Michigan Congressional...

October 27, 2022

NPR Interview With Newt Gingrich Goes Badly for...

December 11, 2022

“I Don’t Even Know What That Is” –...

September 30, 2022

Biden takes swipe at Second Amendment supporters: ‘You...

January 16, 2023

ILLINOIS: Voters Told to Use Sharpie Pen Provided...

November 8, 2022

Trump tax cuts survive key House hurdle as...

April 9, 2025

    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.

    Recent Posts

    • National Wealth Fund commits £200m to UK battery storage push

      August 28, 2025
    • XRP price prediction hits new highs, GMO Miner helps you earn $6,800 a day

      August 28, 2025
    • West End retailers lose £310m from VAT-free shopping ban in first half of year

      August 28, 2025
    • Dollar slips as Trump moves to sack Fed governor Lisa Cook in unprecedented clash over central bank independence

      August 28, 2025
    • CDC Director Susan Monarez refuses to be fired as other officials call it quits

      August 28, 2025
    • Bill Gates met with Trump to talk ‘importance of US global health programs and health research’: spox

      August 28, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,901)
    • Investing (2,246)
    • Politics (16,503)
    • Stocks (3,228)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.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 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved