Hours before the UN Security Council met, the United States and 12 other countries warned in a joint statement that the Houthis “will bear the responsibility of the consequences” should the attacks on ships persist, Reuters reports.

During the session, the US, British and Israeli representatives accused Iran of supporting the Houthi strikes, a charge Tehran has denied.

“The Houthis would struggle to effectively track and strike commercial vessels” without Iran’s backing, said Chris Lu, a US representative to the UN.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki was among those calling for the council to act to halt the attacks, although he did not specify what steps it should take.

Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia urged Houthi leaders to ease any actions posing threats to commercial vessels and their crews. But, he said, the root of the issue was that it was an extension of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and he criticised Washington for blocking resolutions calling for a ceasefire.