President Trump warns Iran of severe repercussions due to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes. Following recent military operations, he holds Tehran accountable for Houthi actions. The US aims to degrade Houthi capabilities while the Houthis threaten further attacks until Israel’s blockade of Gaza is lifted, adding to tensions in the region.
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that the nation will face severe consequences unless the Houthis halt their assaults on international shipping lanes. Trump emphasized that the Iranian leadership would be held accountable for every attack executed by the Houthis, a group that has long received support from Tehran. His warning follows Houthi attacks targeting a US aircraft carrier in the Red Sea amid a series of US airstrikes in Yemen, said to have resulted in numerous fatalities.
The Pentagon confirmed that it has initiated fresh military operations, hitting 30 targets across Yemen as part of a significant escalation in US military action since Trump’s re-election. Trump expressed his intentions on his Truth Social platform, declaring, “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN. And IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!”
Trump accused Tehran of providing financial support, weaponry, and intelligence to the Houthi rebels, claims that Iran has categorically denied. In response to these allegations, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations reiterated the country’s stance, describing the accusations as unfounded and asserting that Iran was not infringing upon a UN arms embargo.
The Pentagon has been conducting broader military strikes than those permitted under the previous administration. Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich indicated that drone manufacturers were also among the newly targeted parties, while Washington has reported key Houthi figures among recent casualties. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell clarified that the intention is not regime change but to diminish Houthi capabilities and secure shipping routes in the region.
Recent military actions saw the Houthis launching drones and missiles at the USS Harry S. Truman, with US fighter jets reportedly intercepting 11 of those drones. Houthi claims suggest that at least five children were among fatalities from recent airstrikes, although these remain unverified. The Houthis have also vowed to persist with their assaults on Red Sea shipping until Israel’s blockade on Gaza is eliminated, frequently asserting, albeit with misleading claims, that they only target vessels linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have perpetrated numerous attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, resulting in the sinking of two ships and the seizure of another, alongside fatalities among crew members. Despite controlling significant territories in Yemen including the capital, Sanaa, the Houthis are not recognized as the country’s legitimate government.
In summary, President Trump has declared that Iran will face dire consequences for its support of Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes. As the US escalates military operations in Yemen, the Pentagon asserts a broader scope of targets than previously authorized, all while Tehran denies involvement in destabilizing actions. The Houthis have committed to continuing their efforts until specific geopolitical conditions are met, complicating the regional security landscape.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
