podium, and houthi rebels responding to the new maritime protection force. sandra: great to be with you, john, this is america reports . houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the red sea forcing u.s. navy ships to engage in a firefight. the new force is expected to play defense, patrolling the waters and offering protection. but the houthis now say the u.s. is violating international law. chief national correspondent, jennifer griffin live at the pentagon with the new response from the houthi rebels. not just the houthis but iran is responding to the new maritime task force, hours after the defense department announced a new maritime task force to protect the red sea, iran s islamic revolutionary guard corps announced it has a new voluntary unit to carry out its military operations at sea near the strait of hormuz. according to a top commander, local sailors will be allowed to carry out missiles on vessels armed with rockets. secretary austin announced th