A Pentagon official explained:Washington is seeking the involvement of 40 nations in an international force to protect navigation in the Red Sea.

He added: “An international force created to protect navigation in the Red Sea would cover 3 million miles of international waters.

He highlighted: “This The international force also includes member nations of CENTCOM (US Central Command).“.

The official’s remarks came after Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder said: “We are working with our partners to establish a joint military force to protect commercial navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf.”

White House national security adviser Jack Sullivan told reporters that talks are continuing to create “some sort of” maritime task force to ensure safe passage of ships in the Red Sea.

The US has blamed Yemen’s Houthi group for a series of attacks in the Red Sea since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

In the latest developments, three merchant ships were attacked in international waters south of the Red Sea on Sunday. The Houthis admitted to launching drone and missile strikes on what they said were two Israeli ships in the area.

U.S. national security officials are concerned about the risk of a sudden and bloody escalation in the region as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates in light of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and separate attacks on U.S. forces by Iranian-backed militias. Iraq and Syria.