President Trump has warned that Iran will face severe consequences if Houthi attacks on shipping lanes continue. He asserted that Iran is responsible for Houthi actions, correlating higher US military operations in Yemen with Tehran’s alleged support for the Houthis. The ongoing tensions have led to intensified military strikes and reciprocal threats between the involved parties.
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that the nation will face severe consequences should the Houthi attacks on international shipping lanes persist. He emphasized that the Iranian leadership will now be held accountable for every hostile action taken by the Houthis, who have longstanding ties with Tehran. This warning follows an incident where the Houthis targeted a US aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, a response to US airstrikes in Yemen that resulted in significant casualties.
In recent military operations, the Pentagon confirmed that it targeted thirty positions in Yemen, marking a substantial escalation in US military involvement in the region. President Trump, through his social media platform, declared, “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!”
The US administration has accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with material support, including funding and weapons, which Iran has consistently denied. In response to these accusations, Iran’s UN envoy characterized them as baseless and affirmed that Iran was not in breach of the UN arms embargo concerning Yemen.
Pentagon officials noted that the current strikes against Houthi positions are broader in scope compared to the previous administration’s actions, with specific targets including Houthi drone manufacturing sites. Officials stated that they had not observed any credible reports of civilian casualties amid the escalating strikes, emphasizing that some prominent Houthi figures were reported dead.
The Houthis continue their coordinated efforts against maritime operations, and on Sunday, they launched a series of drones and missiles targeting the USS Harry S Truman. US forces intercepted several of these threats, and the Houthis claimed that children were among those killed during the US airstrikes over the weekend, a report that remains unverified by independent sources.
The Houthi leadership has vowed to sustain their attacks on Red Sea shipping until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza, asserting that their actions are primarily aimed at vessels associated with Israel, the US, or the UK. Since November, the Houthis have engaged in numerous assaults on maritime traffic, resulting in the sinking of two vessels, the capture of another, and fatalities among crew members. Though the group administers Sanaa and parts of north-west Yemen, it does not constitute the internationally recognized government of the country.
In summary, President Trump’s firm stance against Iran reflects escalating tensions regarding Houthi actions on international shipping lanes. The US military has intensified operations in Yemen, targeting Houthi capabilities while emphasizing accountability for Iran’s support of the rebel group. Both nations remain at odds over accusations related to destabilizing activities in the region, maintaining a precarious balance as Houthi threats against maritime vessels persist. The situation requires careful scrutiny as it evolves.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
