WASHINGTON — The U.S. recently conducted a cyberattack against an Iranian military ship that had been collecting intelligence on cargo vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to three U.S. officials.
The cyberattack, which occurred more than a week ago, was part of the Biden administration’s response to the drone attack by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan and wounded dozens of others late last month, the officials said.
In an interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt last week, Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, said the Behshad is in the Red Sea “to combat the piracy activities” and is not providing intelligence to Houthi forces.
Military analysts say it is possible Iran has chosen to move the ship near the Chinese base to discourage U.S. naval forces from trying to physically attack or board the suspected spy vessel.
In the wake of repeated Houthi attacks since November, shipping giants like Maersk have announced pauses in their operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which will add time and money to delivery of goods.
Despite the U.S. military response to the killing of the three American soldiers, U.S. officials have told NBC News that Iran continues to provide arms and intelligence to its proxies in the region.
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