The U.S. has launched a multinational operation to safeguard the Red Sea transport route amid attacks by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Tuesday.

The Houthis have stepped up the missile and drone attacks they began last month against international vessels sailing through the Red Sea, in response to Israel's indiscriminate attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The attacks this week forced oil major BP and a slew of freight firms, including Maersk, to divert shipments normally made through the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope, adding days to journey times and incurring higher costs.

Israel's 10-week war on Gaza has drawn in the United States and its allies on the side of Israel and Iran and its Arab proxy forces on the opposing side, risking a wider regional conflict.

Austin, who is on a trip to Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's headquarters in the Middle East, said the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain were among nations involved in the Red Sea security operation.

The group will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

"This is an international challenge that demands collective action," Austin said in a statement, announcing the initiative as "Operation Prosperity Guardian."

In a virtual meeting with ministers from more than 40 nations, Austin called on other countries to contribute as he condemned "reckless Houthi actions."

Austin's announcement, however, leaves many questions unanswered, including how many other countries are willing to do what mostly U.S. warships have done in recent days – shoot down Houthi missiles and drones and rush to the aid of commercial ships under attack.

France later said it would join the effort to stop Houthi attacks.

Shipping companies continued to reroute Tuesday despite Austin's announcement. Denmark's Maersk, which had paused Red Sea shipping, said it would sail its ships around Africa until further notice.

"We have faith that a solution enabling a return to using the Suez Canal and transiting through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will be introduced in the near future, but at this time it remains difficult to determine exactly when this will be," it said in a statement.

Many other ships were still plying the waterway. Several ships underway have armed guards on board, LSEG data showed.

Industry sources said the impact on global trade would depend on how long the crisis persists, but insurance premiums and longer routes would be immediate burdens.

Attacks persist

The Houthis, who control large areas of impoverished Yemen, have threatened to target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports. They have also fired missiles at Israel more than 1,000 miles away.

The group said Tuesday the U.S.-led security initiative would not deter them.

British maritime security firm Ambrey said Tuesday it received information of a potential boarding attempt 17 nautical miles west of Yemen's Aden port city, adding that the attack was unsuccessful and all crew were safe.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in an advisory it had received a report of an incident 80 nautical miles northeast of Djibouti, at the mouth of the Red Sea.

The U.S. Navy already had a Red Sea task force that had bolstered its presence in the critical waterway, and it is unclear how many countries will send additional ships or patrol aircraft following the creation of the new maritime operation.

The leadership of the new U.S.-led operation will also fall under existing command structures, officials say.

Many key Arab allies of the United States have so far declined to join.

The Houthis on Monday claimed a drone attack on two cargo vessels in the region. The Houthis have said that they were prepared to confront any coalition formed by the United States.

About 12% of world shipping traffic normally transits via the Suez Canal, the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, passing then as well into the Red Sea waters off Yemen.