Israel said on Sunday that Yemen’s Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, describing the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism” with consequences for international maritime security.

The Houthis have been launching long-range missile and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with the Hamas it has been battling in the Gaza Strip since October 7.

Last week, the Houthi leader said his forces would make further attacks on Israel and they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis but a spokesperson of the group said earlier on Sunday that all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies, or carrying the Israeli flag could be targeted.

A US Defense official said, “we’re aware of the situation and are closely monitoring it”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said a ship - which it did not name - had been seized, and stressed that Israel was not involved in its ownership, operation or the make-up of its international crew.

“There were no Israelis on the ship,” it said.

“This is another Iranian act of terrorism that represents an escalation in Iran’s belligerence against the citizens of the free world, with concomitant international ramifications vis-à-vis the security of global shipping routes.”

The Israeli military said in an earlier statement the ship seizure took place in the Red Sea.