US officials: Houthi claims of attack on US aircraft carrier are false

The Iran-aligned Houthis launched their first drone and missile attacks on the crucial waterway in November, saying they were a show of solidarity with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been waging war for more than eight months.

In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis have sunk two ships, hijacked another and killed at least three sailors.

The Houthi group had previously said its forces had attacked the Eisenhower in the Red Sea and that the operation had successfully achieved its objectives, without giving further details. The group also said it had attacked a merchant ship, the Transworld Navigator, in the Arabian Sea. It did not disclose when the attacks took place.

A statement from the Houthis said the Transworld Navigator was hit directly by a missile.