Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has expressed concern over the escalating attacks on freedom of navigation in the Middle East by Iran and its terrorist proxies. McConnell stated, "The weekend brought even more glaring evidence that Iran and its terrorist proxies feel emboldened to escalate their attacks in the Middle East." He specifically highlighted the recent brazen attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have used lethal force against military and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.

McConnell pointed out that the United States Navy has successfully defended against these attacks, with the destroyer U.S.S. Carney destroying at least 14 terrorist drones just two days ago. However, he emphasized that the risk of American casualties is growing, as air defense is not perfect and the Navy is having to use expensive interceptors to bring down low-cost suicide drones.

While the U.S. Navy has managed to defend against these attacks, commercial vessels have not been as fortunate. Several ships have been hijacked or struck by drones and anti-ship missiles in recent weeks, which poses a grave economic threat. McConnell stated, "Iran's network of terrorists is making an artery that carries nearly 12 percent of global trade essentially inoperable." As a result, major shipping companies have suspended operations in the Red Sea, adding weeks to transit times and incurring significant extra fuel costs to avoid terrorist attacks.

McConnell emphasized that these attacks on freedom of navigation represent a direct challenge to American leadership. He stated, "An undeterred adversary is laying down a direct challenge to American leadership. And the world is watching to see if we rise to meet it the way we've met it before in countless times." McConnell highlighted the historical significance of protecting the freedom of navigation, citing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' first successful campaign against the Barbary pirates and the essential role of freedom of navigation operations in U.S. power projection.

While freedom of navigation operations have been particularly important in the Indo-Pacific region due to China's increasing threats to sea lanes, McConnell warned against conducting these operations as mere peace-time exercises without actively protecting this freedom from immediate, real-time threats. He stated, "If America conducts freedom of navigation operations as peace-time exercises but fails to actually protect this freedom from immediate, real-time threats, then we're just play-acting as a global superpower."

McConnell concluded by emphasizing the need for more serious action against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists to defend the freedom of navigation. He warned that failure to do so would embolden other aggressors to challenge this freedom everywhere and risk major consequences. He stated, "Our greatest strategic adversary and systemic rival is watching especially closely how we respond to this brazen challenge."

In summary, the escalating attacks on freedom of navigation in the Middle East by Iran and its terrorist proxies pose a significant threat to American leadership and global trade. U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has called for more serious action to protect this freedom and deter future challenges. The world is watching closely to see how the United States responds to this brazen challenge.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=45285B95-D9A1-48CE-9C3D-9F152E7836CD