India, June 8 -- Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement on Monday announced a "complete and total ban" on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, declaring all Israeli-linked vessels legitimate targets with immediate effect in a move that could significantly escalate tensions across the Middle East.

The announcement was made by a military spokesperson of the group, which refers to itself as the Yemeni Armed Forces, during a televised address. The declaration marks a major escalation in the strategically vital Red Sea region and threatens one of the world's busiest maritime trade corridors.

"We declare a complete and total ban on maritime navigation of the Israeli enemy in the Red Sea and consider all enemy movements legitimate targets ...