The destroyer USS Carney shot down a Houthi UAV on December 3. (Source: AFP)

According to a post on the Semafo r news portal on December 16, citing officials from the administration of US President Joe Biden, US officials are increasingly concerned that the Houthi forces, with alleged support from Iran, are trying to disrupt global maritime trade.

Washington understands that such an attack could spark a broader war against Iran and its proxies.

Earlier on December 15, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Iran needed to act to end threats to maritime shipping that the Houthis posed in the Red Sea.

For its part, the Houthis have vowed to continue to disrupt the passage of ships linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip ends.