Amid U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Iran denied any support to the group. The strikes killed many civilians and were among the most significant since the Gaza conflict’s onset. President Trump stated Iran would be held accountable, while Iranian officials refuted involvement in Houthi operations. The Houthis have resumed threats against Israeli maritime interests, prompting U.S. warnings of lethal force.
Iran firmly rejected claims of supplying assistance to Yemen’s Houthi rebels following a series of U.S. airstrikes and a declaration from President Trump which held Tehran “fully accountable” for the Houthis’ actions. The Houthi Health Ministry reported that the recent attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals, including women and children, and injuries to over 100 individuals. One strike specifically targeted two homes in Saada province, resulting in fatalities among children and a woman, as detailed by Al-Masirah TV’s coverage of the attacks.
The Houthis have been involved in repeated aggressions against international shipping in the Red Sea and have launched missiles and drones aimed at Israel, describing these actions as solidarity measures with Palestinians facing conflict in Gaza. The recent U.S. strikes represent one of the most extensive military actions against the Houthi forces since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023.
Michael Waltz, National Security Adviser to President Trump, indicated that the operations specifically targeted high-ranking Houthi leaders. While a temporary ceasefire in Gaza reduced militant activity through January, the Houthis recently announced a resumption of strikes against Israeli vessels following a humanitarian blockade imposed by Israel.
Despite ongoing U.S. allegations of Iranian military support for the Houthis, including the seizure of Iranian weaponry bound for the group, Gen. Hossein Salami of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard asserted that Iran does not influence the operational strategies of its allied militant groups. In a statement on social media, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the U.S. to end the airstrikes and emphasized that Washington should not dictate Iran’s foreign policy.
President Trump pledged to deploy “overwhelming lethal force” if Houthi assaults on maritime operations do not cease. The Houthi campaign has claimed responsibility for attacks on over 100 commercial vessels, resulting in the sinking of two ships and fatalities among sailors since the war in Gaza began.
While previous operations against the Houthis involved the U.S., Israel, and Britain, the recent airstrikes were solely a U.S. initiative and marked the first military action against the Houthis under the current Trump administration. Contributions to this report were provided by Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran.
For comprehensive updates on the ongoing conflict, please refer to [AP’s war coverage](https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war).
In summary, Iran has categorically denied providing support to the Houthis, despite the U.S. airstrikes and President Trump’s statements. The strikes resulted in significant casualties among civilians, and Houthis have indicated a possible resurgence in attacks against Israeli shipping. Although there are longstanding U.S. suspicions regarding Iranian military aid, Iranian officials maintain that they do not dictate the Houthis’ operational strategies. The U.S. has vowed a robust response to further Houthi aggressions in the maritime corridor.
Original Source: www.channel3000.com
