President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that the United States will hold Iran accountable for recent shipping assaults carried out by Houthi rebels in Yemen. He issued a stern warning of significant military consequences for both the militant group and the Iranian government.
This declaration followed a series of drone and missile strikes by the Tehran-backed Houthis targeting oil tankers in the Red Sea. The rebels claimed these actions were intended to enforce a blockade against Saudi Arabia. After a Saudi vessel was hit on Wednesday, oil prices experienced a sharp increase, signaling a new escalation in the regional conflict.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled the Houthis as Iranian surrogates. He explicitly threatened that should the group continue their offensive, major military punishment would be directed at them and their backers in Iran. Trump expressed surprise at the renewed hostility, noting he had previously viewed the group’s actions as professional following American military engagement in the region last year and during the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began in February.
