U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the launch of airstrikes against Iranian-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen, along with a strong message directed at Tehran.
**Global Shipping Threat**
The conflict began when Houthi insurgents started targeting military and commercial ships on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, shortly after the outbreak of fighting in Gaza between Hamas and Israel in October 2023. The Houthis claimed they were aiming at vessels tied to Israel and its allies, the U.S. and U.K., in support of Palestinians, although some of these vessels were not linked to the conflict. They reportedly attacked over 100 commercial ships with missiles and drones, sinking two of these vessels and resulting in the deaths of four sailors until a ceasefire took effect in mid-January. While some attacks were intercepted or went astray, others included Western military targets. Modal attacks halted during the ceasefire, but the Houthis announced on Wednesday they plan to resume attacking any Israeli ship, as Israel curtailed aid to Gaza amid negotiations to extend their truce. They also indicated that their warning covers areas including the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea. No recent attacks by the Houthis have been reported since then.
President Trump emphasized that “These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk” as he announced the airstrikes.
**U.S. Threat**
The prior Houthi campaigns targeted ships, provoking serious confrontations for the U.S. Navy not seen since World War II. The Biden administration, alongside Israel and Britain, had previously targeted Houthi-controlled areas. A U.S. official disclosed that Saturday’s mission was executed by the U.S. alone. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, encompassing the carrier, three Navy destroyers, and a cruiser, was involved in the operation in the Red Sea. The USS Georgia, a cruise missile submarine, is also active in the region. Trump articulated that the airstrikes aim to “protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom.” The heightened attention on the Houthis has emphasized their standing amid Yemen’s prolonged and crippling war.
**Iran Under Pressure**
The airstrikes on Saturday are also a strategic move to pressure Iran, which supports the Houthis in a manner akin to its backing of Hamas and other Middle Eastern proxies. Trump pledged to hold Iran “fully accountable” for the actions of the Houthis. Earlier this month, the State Department reinstated the “foreign terrorist organization” classification for the Houthis, which imposes sanctions and penalties on those giving “material support” to the rebels. The Trump administration is also pushing Iran to engage in renewed talks on its nuclear endeavors, with Trump having addressed a letter to Iran’s supreme leader. Following his unilateral withdrawal of the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and other global powers, Trump has stated his firm opposition to allowing the nuclear program to become operational. He has imposed new sanctions on Iran as part of a broader “maximum pressure” strategy and has intimated possible military action while maintaining that a new nuclear agreement remains achievable.
