U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Iran will be held accountable for any attacks carried out by the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. His warning comes as the U.S. escalates its largest military operation in the Middle East since Trump’s return to the White House.
In response to Houthi threats against international shipping, the U.S. launched a new wave of airstrikes on Saturday, targeting the port city of Hodeidah and the city of Jawf in Yemen.
“From now on, every shot fired by the Houthis will be considered as coming from Iran’s weapons and leadership. Iran will be held accountable and will suffer severe consequences,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
A senior U.S. official told Reuters that the strikes could continue for weeks, as Washington ramps up pressure on Tehran through sanctions and diplomatic measures. Trump has also extended an offer for nuclear talks with Iran, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected the proposal.
The Houthis, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., claim their attacks on shipping lanes are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. However, the U.S. and its allies insist that these strikes are disrupting global trade.
As tensions rise, Houthi leaders have vowed to target American ships in the Red Sea as long as U.S. airstrikes continue. Meanwhile, Israel asserts that it has significantly weakened Iran’s regional allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
