President Trump has warned Iran will be held accountable for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, following significant U.S. military strikes against the group. The Houthis resumed their assaults amidst the Gaza conflict, affecting shipping routes. Experts believe that shipping companies will likely wait months for stability before returning to their usual paths.
President Trump has publicly stated that he will hold Iran accountable for any future attacks by Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea region. In a message posted on Truth Social, he accused Iran of controlling the Houthis by providing them with weapons, financial support, and intelligence.
Trump asserted, “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!”
These remarks followed significant U.S. military action against the Iran-aligned Houthis, resulting in the deaths of at least 53 individuals and nearly 100 injuries in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, as reported by the Houthi health ministry.
The Houthis have targeted numerous military and commercial vessels since the onset of the Gaza conflict in late 2023, severely disrupting one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. In early 2024, the Biden administration established a coalition of about 20 nations to secure the Red Sea, conducting retaliatory strikes against the Houthis and intercepting their drones and missiles.
Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in January, the Houthis halted their assaults on ships but recently vowed to resume them after Israel restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. The recent U.S. strikes aim to reopen international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, as prior Houthi attacks have forced vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, incurring additional costs and logistical delays.
However, analyst Jonathan Roach from Braemar ACM Shipbroking in London remarks that, even with a cessation of hostilities, shipping companies are unlikely to resume normal operations immediately. He indicates that, “It’s probably going to take a good three to six months of no hostilities to container ships before they’ll actually risk it.”
In summary, President Trump has declared Iran responsible for any Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, following U.S. military actions against the militants. The Houthis disrupted maritime traffic amid the Gaza conflict, prompting a coalition to secure the region. While recent U.S. strikes aim to restore shipping lanes, experts suggest a cautious approach, indicating shipping companies may delay operations despite reduced hostilities.
Original Source: www.iowapublicradio.org
