DUBAI, UAE - Yemen's Houthis on Monday announced a “complete and total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea,” declaring that all Israeli movements in the waterway are now considered military targets.

In a statement, the group said it launched a missile salvo at what it described as “sensitive targets” in the Tel Aviv area, claiming the attack achieved its objectives. The Houthis said the operation was carried out in response to the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iran, Gaza, and other members of the “axis of resistance,” including Iraq.

“We will confront escalation with escalation,” the Houthis said, adding that their military operations will “intensify in line with developments on the battlefield and in coordination with the axis of resistance.”

The statement said the group would continue its operations for as long as the conflict and what it described as a US-Israeli blockade against Yemen and members of the “axis of resistance” in Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq persist.

The announcement came hours after Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early Monday.

Iran on Sunday night announced that it launched strikes against Israel in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon, prompting retaliatory strikes from Israel on central and western Iran early Monday.

Israeli authorities said at least two waves of Iranian missiles targeted the country, while Iran reported explosions in several cities.

The attacks come as a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran has been in place since April. Israel, however, has continued its operations targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, while Tehran has insisted that any ceasefire between the adversaries must also include its Lebanese allies.