The Trump administration launched major airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, signaling a more aggressive military approach in the Middle East. President Trump warned that “hell will rain down” on the Houthis unless they permanently end attacks on commercial ships near the Red Sea, while threatening Iran with accountability for supporting the rebels.
The Houthis responded by vowing to “meet escalation with escalation,” with spokesman Mohammed al-Bukhaiti claiming their naval operations only target Israel to pressure for a Gaza ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander General Hossein Salami promised a “devastating” response to any direct threats against Iran, though he denied Tehran’s direct control over Houthi actions.
This military engagement comes at a pivotal moment for the Trump administration, which has expressed openness to a diplomatic deal limiting Iran’s nuclear program while simultaneously not ruling out direct military action against Tehran. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized that “all options are on the table” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
U.S. Central Command shared evidence of strikes targeting Houthi radars, missiles, and drones near Yemen’s capital Sanaa. Houthi leaders claimed over 30 fatalities, though these numbers weren’t independently verified. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the campaign as “unrelenting” until the Houthis cease their attacks.
The Houthis have targeted more than 100 ships in the Red Sea region since October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. Though the U.S. has led airstrikes against them since January 2024, the attacks continued. While the militants had scaled back operations during recent ceasefire negotiations, they recently threatened to resume targeting “any Israeli vessel” in Mideast waters.
Some U.S. lawmakers praised the military action. Sen. James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, applauded the president’s “decisive action,” stating it sends a clear message that Iran’s proxies “can no longer dominate the Middle East.”
The situation threatens to escalate further, with both sides exchanging threats of continued military action. The Trump administration faces the challenge of balancing diplomatic efforts toward Iran while responding forcefully to attacks from Iranian-backed militias across the region.
Read more: Houthi rebels vow ’escalation’ after U.S. airstrikes in Yemen
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