Adjunct Professor Lawrence Brennan was quoted in a Business Insider article about Houthi rebels attacking a Saudi vessel off the coast of Yemen.
Flynn’s comments echo what Lawrence Brennan, a Fordham University maritime law professor and former US Navy commander, told Business Insider on Monday. Essentially, the Houthi attack on a Saudi ship using suicide boats may change the calculus for the US Navy operating in the region, he said.
“This attack is likely to impact US naval operations and rules of engagement in nearby waters,” said Brennan, who said Iranian ships frequently harass and sail close to US Navy ships.
Brennan suggested that in light of the recent suicide boat attacks, the US Navy should consider shooting Iranian or other hostile vessels that get too close.
“The overarching duty of self-defense mandates revision of the ROE to provide a sufficient ‘bubble’ to prevent the risk of a suicide attack, particularly from swarming boats,” Brennan said in an email to Business Insider.