UK Royal Navy warship in Red Sea may have been targeted by Houthis: Defense minister

British defense minister Grant Shapps said on Wednesday the Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond was potentially targeted in an attack by Yemen-based Houthi militants in the Red Sea, which was repelled by US and British forces on Tuesday.

“My understanding is that both the ship itself potentially was targeted... but also that there's a generalized attack on all shipping (in the region),” Shapps told reporters.

On Tuesday, US and UK forces shot down more than 20 drones and missiles over the Red Sea launched by the Houthis, in what London branded as the “largest attack” yet by the Iran-backed militia.

The Western allies’ warships and planes took out 18 drones and three missiles in their latest Red Sea military intervention, the US military said.

Shapps told Sky News on Wednesday that there was “no doubt at all Iran is guiding what is happening there in the Red Sea,” providing Houthis with equipment and intelligence to enable the attacks.

“Enough is enough,” said Shapps.

“We must be clear with the Houthis that this has to stop and that is my simple message to them today: Watch this space.”