The US is weighing possible responses after two separate missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen targeted US Navy ships in the Red Sea, prompting a destroyer to launch countermeasures. On Sunday, two separate missiles fired from the coastal areas of Yemen came near the USS Mason. The destroyer launched unnamed countermeasures to deter one missile, and another missile landed in the sea about an hour later, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said during a Tuesday briefing. The US is still collecting intelligence to determine exactly who fired the missiles, as well as possible responses. The delay in possible retaliation is because the ships need to determine exactly what targets would be hit and ensure that no collateral damage would occur. The Mason at the time was steaming alongside the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship, and it is thought the Ponce was the original target, Davis said. The attack on the US ships came about a week after missiles from Houthi rebels hit a UAE civilian vessel in the same waters.
The U.S. continued to move a significant amount of airpower toward the Middle East in recent days as talks to forge a nuclear deal with Iran hung in the balance. Flight tracking data indicate there was unusually heavy movement of dozens of fighter jets and other assets that might be…
