Iran denied aiding Yemen’s Houthi rebels amid recent U.S. airstrikes that resulted in significant casualties. President Trump warned Iran of accountability for the Houthis’ actions, while the group has threatened to renew attacks on international shipping. The situation highlights ongoing U.S. concerns regarding Iran’s support for regional militant groups and the fragile state of ceasefires affecting regional stability.
On Sunday, Iran officially refuted claims of providing support to Yemen’s Houthi rebels amid a series of U.S. airstrikes targeting them. Following these strikes, President Donald Trump expressed that Tehran would be “fully accountable” for the activities of its allied groups. According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, the attacks resulted in at least 31 fatalities, including women and children, and over 100 injuries, with reports of homes in Saada province being hit.
The Houthis have engaged in various attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea and launched missiles and drones toward Israel as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While the assaults ceased temporarily with the inauguration of a ceasefire in January, threats of renewed aggression have emerged due to Israel’s aid blockade in Gaza.
The U.S. has long implicated Iran in supplying military resources to the Houthis, having seized Iranian missiles purportedly destined for the group. General Hossein Salami, the leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reacted by asserting that Iran plays no part in determining the operational strategies of its aligned militant factions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for an end to U.S. strikes on social media and stated that the U.S. does not dictate Iran’s policies. Trump’s commitment to employing “overwhelming lethal force” until Houthi offensives on maritime shipping cease was emphasized following the latest waves of attacks.
The U.S. airstrikes, carried out independently, mark a significant event as they represent the first offensive against the Houthis during Trump’s second term in office, following a series of prior international operations in Houthi territories.
In summary, the recent U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels have resurfaced tensions and accusations between Iran and the United States. Iran’s consistent denial of involvement with the Houthis and its insistence on maintaining independent foreign policy underscore the complexities of the region’s geopolitical landscape. The developments highlight the fragile nature of ceasefire agreements and the potential for escalation amid the ongoing Israeli blockade in Gaza.
Original Source: www.ksat.com
