LONDON

Britain is reportedly preparing to launch a wave of air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen amid targeting vessels in the Red Sea, according to a media report on Sunday.

Under the plans, the UK would join with the US and possibly another European country to unleash a salvo of missiles against preplanned targets, either in the sea or in Yemen itself, British newspaper The Times reported.

A government source said the coordinated strikes could involve Royal Air Force (RAF) warplanes for the first time or the HMS Diamond destroyer.

The Times reported that the UK and US are expected to release an "unprecedented statement" that will "warn the Houthis to stop attacking commercial vessels or face the military might of the West."

Early on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about Houthi attacks in the Red Sea which Cameron said "threaten innocent lives and the global economy."

Separately, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said on Sunday that Houthi attacks on international shipping in and around the Red Sea had increased by 500%.

"This is unacceptable as it damages world trade by illegally blocking Freedom of Navigation at Sea. These attacks must therefore stop," he wrote on X.

Later, he said the Houthis "must end their illegal campaign against merchant shipping and stop all violent attacks immediately."

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting what they say are Israel-bound vessels in the southern Red Sea. It said the attacks aim to support Palestinians under Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.