The U.S. may strike Iranian targets in Yemen as part of military actions against Houthi rebels. Recent strikes have raised humanitarian concerns and oil prices, drawing criticism while the Houthis continue assaults on Israeli-bound vessels. Iran denies supporting the Houthis and threatens retaliation if attacked, amidst escalating regional tensions.
The United States may target Iranian assets in Yemen as its military efforts against the Tehran-supported Houthi rebels continue, according to Mike Waltz, a national security adviser in President Trump’s administration. Washington has pressured Tehran to cease its support for the Houthis, highlighting that U.S. strikes aimed to stop rebel attacks on crucial shipping routes within the Red Sea and against Israel.
In these military actions, the U.S. strikes have reportedly resulted in more than 50 casualties, including civilians, according to the Yemeni health ministry, which has raised oil prices and prompted fears of escalating tensions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Oman has expressed significant concern regarding these strikes, warning of their dire humanitarian impacts and broader regional implications.
The foreign ministry of Oman stated, “The escalation exacerbates the suffering of the Yemeni people and increases instability in the region.” Furthermore, the human rights organization DAWN criticized the U.S. interventions, claiming that President Trump is intensifying conflict in Yemen, thus breaching international law. Sarah Leah Whitson, DAWN’s executive director, stated, “President Trump has broken his promise to the American people to stop entangling us in wasteful wars by launching attacks on Yemen.”
The Houthis have continued to target vessels heading to Israel and have claimed to have fired missiles at U.S. naval assets. They announced a resumption of these operations until Israel ends its blockade on Gaza aid. Waltz indicated that potential U.S. targets include Iranian vessels providing intelligence support to the Houthis and military trainers linked to Iran.
The Houthis declared that they had struck a U.S. military carrier in the Red Sea, threatening retaliation against any escalation. According to reports, U.S. strikes commanded by Trump could extend for days or weeks, as Waltz affirmed, “We will hold not only Houthis accountable but also their Iranian backers.”
Iran has denied claims of supporting the Houthis and has vowed to retaliate if attacked, especially as they face significant challenges in the region. The so-called “Axis of Resistance,” consisting of Iran and its allies, has faced various setbacks, including losses in Lebanon and political challenges in Syria and Iraq. The U.S. has also signaled the potential for military action against Iran concerning its nuclear program should diplomatic negotiations falter.
In summary, the United States is intensifying its military campaign against Iranian-affiliated Houthi rebels in Yemen, with the possibility of striking Iranian targets. The operations have raised humanitarian concerns and drawn criticism from various parties, including Oman and human rights organizations. With ongoing tensions in the region, the U.S. asserts a firm stance against both the Houthis and their Iranian supporters, reflecting the multifaceted challenges in the MENA region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
