President Trump has declared that Iran will be held accountable for Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, after significant U.S. military strikes targeting these militants. The Houthis have disrupted shipping since the Gaza War began, while international coalitions are working to secure this vital maritime route. Experts suggest that the return of shipping vessels could be delayed for several months due to uncertainties concerning hostilities.
President Donald Trump has stated that he will hold Iran accountable for any further attacks conducted by Houthi militants on vessels within the Red Sea region. According to a post shared on Truth Social, Trump alleged that Iran dictates the actions of the Houthis by providing them with weapons, monetary support, and intelligence.
In his statement, Trump emphasized the gravity of the situation by asserting, “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 comments followed significant U.S. strikes on Sunday against Iran-aligned militants, which reportedly resulted in at least 53 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, as per information from the Houthi-run health ministry. The Houthis have escalated their attacks on military and commercial vessels since the conflict in Gaza intensified in 2023, disrupting one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.
In early 2024, the Biden administration initiated a multinational coalition of about 20 countries to secure the Red Sea, which included retaliatory strikes against the Houthis and intercepting their drones and missiles. Following a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hamas in January, the Houthis ceased their naval attacks. However, they have since threatened a resurgence of hostilities due to Israel’s recent humanitarian aid blockade on Gaza.
The U.S. military engagements aim to reopen shipping lanes in the Red Sea, as Houthi attacks have compelled vessels to seek alternate routes, which typically involve longer journeys around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, thereby increasing shipping costs and threatening global supply chains.
Jonathan Roach, an analyst at Braemar ACM Shipbroking in London, expressed skepticism that shipping vessels would return immediately, even if hostilities ceased. Roach noted, “So, 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 conclusion, President Trump’s declarations reflect a significant escalation in rhetoric regarding Iran’s influence over Houthi militants in the Red Sea. The recent U.S. military actions and the formation of an international coalition underscore a coordinated effort to safeguard shipping lanes critical to global trade. The uncertainty surrounding maritime safety, as highlighted by expert analysts, could prolong the disruption to shipping routes, affecting global supply chains well into the future.
Original Source: www.wesa.fm
