Shapps ‘Determined’ UK Will Protect Trade Route in the Red Sea

The Red Sea can’t be allowed to become a “no-go area” for cargo ships, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said. The remarks came after British and U.S. warships shot down drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Economists have warned that a chokehold of one of the world’s busiest shipping routes could send another inflationary shockwave across the globe. In an interview with The Times of London, Mr. Shapps said the UK has to remain committed to protecting shipping routes. “We are committed to protecting British interests [in the Gulf]—vessels sailing under a UK flag, or with British sailors or carrying goods destined for our shores, the defence secretary said....