Britain and US in talks over air strikes on Yemen rebels amid Red Sea attacks

Britain is understood to be in talks with the US and other allies over air strikes against Yemen Houthi rebels in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Downing Street did not rule out the possibility of action in the coming days, with airstrikes understood to be on the table and talks with the US and allies ongoing, i understands.

It comes after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned retaliation was being considered after weeks of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea.

Asked if the Government could rule out military action in the coming days, the No10 spokeswoman said she would not “speculate on any potential breach of military action”.

“We have however, alongside our allies made clear that these are illegal and reckless attacks against commercial shipping are completely unacceptable.

“As you know, we have taken action in the UK successfully repelled the largest attack to date earlier this week.”

On Tuesday, the UK’s HMS Diamond and US warships patrolling the vital waterway of the Red Sea repelled a barrage of drones and missiles.

Mr Shapps said Diamond was “potentially targeted” deliberately by the drone attacks and, asked by journalists about a response, said “watch this space”.

No10 also condemned developments off the cost of Oman on Thursday which saw Iranian commandos boarded and seized an oil tanker and redirected towards Iran.

The ship is not understood to be UK-owned or a British flag carrier but the Downing Street spokeswoman said the Government condemned the attacks and was “constantly monitoring the security situation in the region”.

The oil tanker had previously been seized by the United States over sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Iran said the “seizure of the oil tanker does not constitute hijacking; rather, it is a lawful undertaking sanctioned by a court order and corresponds to the theft of Iran’s very own oil”,” the Associated Press reported.

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But its capture has raised the risk of possible retaliatory strikes by US-led forces, with a further escalation of tensions.

“Clearly this is a developing situation,” she told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

“Of course we would condemn any attack on merchant shipping. We are clear it is vital that we protect freedom of navigation at sea.

“We are constantly monitoring the security situation in the region and we routinely provide security advice to the shipping sector where that is necessary.”

Reuters reported that the US called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew and said it would be consulting with “regional partners” about the “appropriate steps to hold Iran accountable”.

The attacks on ships by the Houthis are in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the rebels claiming they were targeting ships associated with allies of Israel.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding an immediate end to the Houthi attacks and there is global concern about the impact they will have on global shipping routes, as well as an escalation of conflict in the region.