The Whitehall rumour mill is churning. A distress call, 'Please send help', was picked up moments before a US missile struck a vessel in the Red Sea. The incident, confirmed by multiple sources, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.
The ship, reportedly a commercial vessel, was hit late last night. The attack came from a US drone or aircraft, though the Pentagon has remained tight-lipped. Whatever the target, the reality is this: a missile launched by a US asset struck a ship. The crew's plea for help is a damning indictment of the fog of war.
On the ground, the political fallout is immediate. Labour MPs are demanding answers. The Foreign Office is scrambling. The question on every lobbyist's lips: what was the US targeting? Houthi rebels? Or something else? The Saudis are notably quiet. The Iranians are already issuing condemnations.
The timing is a nightmare for Downing Street. The Prime Minister is already facing a backbench rebellion over the Rwanda asylum plan. Now this. A single missile has the power to reshape the diplomatic landscape. The Red Sea is a tinderbox.
The crew's distress call will be heard in every chancellery. It is a human cry that cuts through the political noise. For now, the official line is 'we are assessing the situation'. But in the backrooms of Whitehall, the real game is playing out. Who knew what, and when? Whose finger was on the trigger?
The US alliance is the cornerstone of British foreign policy. But incidents like this test that bond. The PM will face questions in the Commons. He will need to show he is in control. But in this game, control is an illusion.
The ship's name has not been released. Nor its flag. But the implications are clear. Every missile launch has consequences. This one will ripple through the corridors of power for weeks. The crew's cry for help is a stark reminder that in the fog of war, mistakes happen. And when they do, the political fall-out is unforgiving.
Watch this space. The leaks are coming. The blame game has already started.
