Brussels, 12 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - NATO said on Friday that Iran must use its influence to control Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are supported, supplied and equipped by Tehran.

Iran has a special responsibility when it comes to its "proxies," NATO spokesman Dylan White said.

"The Houthi attacks must come to an end," he said.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships with an alleged Israeli connection in the Red Sea.

Major shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the route forcing them to divert along a much longer and costly route around South Africa.

In response, the United States, Britain and other Western allies launched airstrikes on several Houthi positions in Yemen in the early hours of Friday.

The NATO spokesman called these strikes defensive and aimed at preserving freedom of navigation on one of the world's most important waterways.

Photo: MIA archive