The US, UK and ten other states have warned rebels in Yemen they will face consequences if they continue to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
In a joint statement, the group of mainly Western countries called for an immediate end to the attacks.
However the Houthis have responded with defiance, vowing to continue targeting vessels they consider linked to Israel.
The situation in the strategically vital southern Red Sea is now at a stand-off.
The Bab al-Mandab strait is a critical waterway through which almost 15% of global trade passes. If attacks continue, the fear is that fuel prices will rise and supply chains will be damaged.
