The Iranian mission to the United Nations stated on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, that the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, "agreed to a temporary ceasefire to allow tugboats and rescue vessels to reach the damaged oil tanker 'Sounion' in the Red Sea."

The Iranian mission added that several countries "contacted the Houthis to request a temporary ceasefire for the entry of tugboats and rescue vessels to the area of the incident. Considering humanitarian and environmental concerns, the group agreed to this request," according to Reuters.

Following the Iranian mission's announcement, Mohammed Abdulsalam, the spokesperson and chief negotiator for the Tehran-backed Houthi group, denied his group's agreement to a "temporary ceasefire."

Reuters quoted Abdulsalam as saying that his group had not agreed to a temporary ceasefire but had "only agreed to allow the towing of the Sounion tanker after several international parties contacted the group."

On Tuesday evening, the spokesperson for the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated that a third party attempted to send two tugboats to assist in rescuing the 'Sounion,' but the Houthis threatened to attack them. The spokesperson said the tanker was carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil.

Earlier in the day, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) mission "Aspides" stated that to avoid a catastrophic environmental disaster, the EU naval forces, in coordination with European authorities, are assessing the situation to take precautionary measures, including towing the tanker.

For several days, the EUNAVFOR mission "Aspides" has warned of an environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea after successfully evacuating the crew of a Greek oil tanker that was subjected to a series of Houthi attacks approximately 77 nautical miles west of Hodeidah. The attacks resulted in the tanker running aground and its engines failing, although no injuries were reported among the crew.

The Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization and controlling the most populous areas of Yemen, claimed on Thursday that they had attacked the 'Sounion' oil tanker in the Red Sea.

"Aspides" reported that fires were observed in at least five locations on the ship's deck, in addition to a portion of the superstructure being ablaze. They confirmed that they successfully rescued the crew of the Greek ship 'Sounion' last Thursday after receiving a distress call from the captain.

Since last November, the Houthi group, globally designated as a terrorist organization, has launched attacks using missiles and drones against commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.