In a strong declaration, President Donald Trump warned that Iran will face “dire” consequences if the Houthi rebels, who have been attacking international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, persist in their assaults. This warning comes in the wake of acute military operations by the United States in Yemen, marking the most comprehensive military engagement in the Middle East since Trump resumed office.
Over the weekend, the Pentagon launched targeted strikes on approximately 30 different locations in Yemen, responding to the Houthis’ assault on the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier and several other vessels. According to reports from Yemen’s health ministry, these US strikes have led to the tragic deaths of at least 53 individuals, including reported casualties among children.
President Trump emphasized that retaliation against Houthi actions will be seen as retaliatory actions against Iran, whom he accused of directly supporting the militia with funding, weapons, and intelligence. “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be viewed as a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. These assertions have been met with vigorous denial from Iran, which accused the US of making baseless allegations in a letter to the UN Security Council.
In addition to the military response, Pentagon officials noted that the current operations are broader than those carried out under former President Joe Biden. Specific targets now include Houthi drone makers, with officials asserting that there have been no credible reports of civilian casualties.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell reassured that this military campaign is not aimed at regime change but is a measured response aimed at weakening the Houthis’ operational capabilities and safeguarding the critical shipping lanes in the region.
The Houthis have threatened to persist in their attacks until Israel ends its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Their recent actions have already seen them targeting dozens of merchant vessels with drones and missiles, leading to significant tensions in the Gulf of Aden and beyond.
As the situation continues to escalate, both regional and global implications are anticipated, with Trump’s administration committing to maintaining a rigorous defense of US interests and partners in the Middle East.