Iran has condemned U.S. strikes on the Houthis in Yemen as a “crime” and warned of a decisive response to any threat against its territory. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strikes aimed to protect navigation freedom. The strikes have led to casualties among civilians and raised tensions between Iran and the U.S. over nuclear negotiations.
On Monday, Iran condemned the recent U.S. military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, labeling them a “crime.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry further warned that any aggression towards its territory would be met with a “decisive” response. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the attacks were aimed at curtailing threats to freedom of navigation in critical waterways, asserting that Iran has enabled Houthi aggression for too long.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei emphasized the nation’s resolve to defend its territorial integrity and national interests during his weekly briefing, asserting, “We will respond decisively to any aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity, security, and national interests, and there is no doubt about this.” The Houthis have intensified their attacks on shipping since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, prompting U.S. military action against them.
The U.S. strikes represent the largest military operation in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office in January. Reports indicate that at least 53 individuals, including five children, were killed, and 98 others injured in the initial strikes following Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. The Houthis claimed to have retaliated by targeting the USS Harry Truman, asserting they launched 18 missiles and a drone at the vessel.
The strikes reflect a broader U.S. strategy of exerting maximum pressure on Iran and its regional proxies. In an attempt to prompt negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Trump has escalated sanctions on Tehran. In a recent letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he reiterated his willingness to engage in talks, a proposition met with skepticism from Iranian officials, who perceive such overtures as negotiations under undue pressure.
Baghaei mentioned that Iran would formulate its response after a thorough examination of the letter from President Trump, indicating that the content did not significantly deviate from the administration’s previous public positions. Ayatollah Khamenei and other officials remain staunch in their opposition to negotiations conducted under coercive circumstances.
Iran’s strong condemnation of U.S. military strikes highlights its commitment to defending its sovereignty. The escalating tensions are rooted in a complex network of regional conflicts and political maneuvering surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The calls for decisive responses to perceived aggression underscore the precarious security dynamics in the region. Negotiations under pressure remain a contentious issue, with Iranian officials firmly opposed to engaging in talks viewed as coercive.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
