Iran denied Israeli claims that it was involved in the seizure of a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea by the Houthi rebels.
Iran’s Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday “We have said multiple times that resistance groups in the region act independently and spontaneously based on their interests and that of their people,”.
He added that Israeli claims were aimed at diverting attention away from Israeli’s “irreparable defeat” in its battle against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Israel said on Sunday the incident was an “Iranian act of terrorism” with consequences for international maritime security.
The Houthi rebels, an ally of Tehran, have been launching long-range missile and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian Hamas militants fighting in Gaza.