The U.S. and Iran-backed Houthi rebels have vowed escalation following U.S. airstrikes aimed at deterring Houthi attacks on shipping lanes. Secretary of State Rubio emphasized stopping Houthi control over maritime routes. Former President Trump warned of significant military retaliation, while Iran denied involvement in Houthi actions despite accusations of military support. The situation remains volatile as tensions increase.
The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have engaged in escalating rhetoric following a series of U.S. airstrikes aimed at preventing Houthi attacks on vital shipping lanes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of stopping the Houthis from controlling maritime passage. He stated, “We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go through and which ones cannot… It will go on until they no longer have the capability to do that.”
Former President Donald Trump threatened to use “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis, holding Iran accountable for their actions. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for recent attacks on international shipping as gestures of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group announced intentions to resume attacks on Israeli vessels after Israel’s suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza, though there have been no recent reported assaults.
The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported significant civilian casualties following the U.S. strikes, including the deaths of 31 individuals and injuries to over 100 in Sanaa and Saada. Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, asserted the strikes specifically targeted Houthi leadership without specifying details. Rubio noted that the Houthis had been linked to numerous attacks on U.S. Navy vessels and commercial shipping in the region.
In response to the escalating tensions, Iran categorically denied involvement in the Houthi’s military actions. General Hossein Salami of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated that Iran does not dictate the operational strategies of its allied militant groups. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized U.S. airstrikes and voiced that the U.S. cannot influence Iran’s foreign policies.
While the U.S. Navy has coordinated operations in the region, this particular strike operation was solely under American command. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, featuring multiple Navy vessels, remains present in the Red Sea, maintaining military readiness as regional tensions rise.
In summary, after recent U.S. airstrikes, tensions between the United States and the Houthi rebels have intensified, with both sides vowing escalation. The U.S. government is determined to maintain control over maritime security, while the Houthis continue to express resolve against foreign interventions. Iran’s denial of involvement and the broader implications of the conflict in the region further complicate this situation, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.channel3000.com
