Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced U.S. airstrikes on Yemen, deeming them a “crime that must be stopped.” His statements occur in the context of rising regional tensions, as the Houthis threaten Israeli-linked shipping. The U.S. military confirmed its strikes targeted high-ranking Houthi officials, resulting in significant casualties. As the situation unfolds, further U.S. actions seem likely, highlighting the potential for increased instability in the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned the recent United States airstrikes on Yemen, labeling them a “crime that must be stopped.” In a video statement, he criticized the attacks against the Houthi militia and cautioned that they must be halted immediately. These remarks come amidst rising tensions in the region, influenced by ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and renewed threats from the Houthis.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen illustrates the intensified struggle between forces allied with the U.S. and Iran’s regional proxies. The Houthis’ threats against shipping in the Red Sea and U.S. military responses have created a significant flashpoint that could destabilize the Middle East further. Khamenei’s commentary reinforces Iran’s support for the Houthis and its opposition to U.S. military engagement in the region.
In his discourse, Khamenei accused the U.S. of facilitating Israeli assaults on Gaza, alleging that these operations occurred with “U.S. permission, or support and green light.” He urged global “freedom-seekers” to unite against Israel. Moreover, Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the U.S. strikes on Yemen as “war crimes,” alongside its condemnations of Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Washington confirmed that its recent airstrikes targeted high-ranking Houthi officials, resulting in significant casualties. The Houthi-controlled health ministry reported at least 53 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries from these attacks, which were also the first U.S. military actions in Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in January.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance” against Israel and the U.S., have threatened to resume attacks on Israeli-affiliated vessels in retaliation for the blockade of aid to Gaza. They previously disrupted maritime operations in the Red Sea following the onset of the Gaza war and temporarily halted attacks during a ceasefire in January.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, Khamenei described the Israeli airstrikes as a “catastrophic crime,” holding Washington responsible for its support of Israel’s military actions. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked on social media about the damage inflicted upon the Houthis, stating, “Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse.”
The U.S. is expected to persist in targeting Houthi military assets as tensions rise, and the Houthis’ increased threats to disrupt Red Sea trade routes may provoke further military actions, thereby amplifying the potential for a broader conflict in the region.
The escalation of U.S. airstrikes on the Houthis has prompted strong condemnation from Iran as regional tensions continue to rise. Khamenei’s statements reaffirm Iran’s unwavering support for the Houthis and highlight the potential for the conflict to destabilize the Middle East further. The unfolding events indicate that both U.S. military operations and Houthi threats could escalate, posing risks for broader regional conflict.
Original Source: www.newsweek.com
