"John Kirby Clashes with Reporters Over Accusations of U.S. Provoking Conflict in Middle East"

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby defended the U.S. naval presence in the Red Sea as a "defensive posture" in response to a reporter's suggestion that it escalated the Israel-Hamas conflict. Kirby emphasized that the U.S. deployment, part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, aims to protect commercial shipping from Iran-backed Houthi attacks. Despite the recent targeting of a Maersk container vessel by the Houthis, Kirby denied any U.S. role in escalating tensions, attributing the provocations to the Houthis and their Iranian backers. A U.S.-led coalition has warned of consequences for further Houthi aggression in the region.