The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels are both promising further military action following a U.S. initiative to launch airstrikes against Houthi forces in an effort to secure one of the world’s most vital shipping routes. The U.S. has taken this assertive approach to hinder the rebels from threatening both military and commercial ships in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, emphasized the need to prevent the Houthis from overpowering and controlling maritime passage, stating on CBS that operations will continue “until they no longer have the capability to do that.” He noted that these are not isolated responses, unlike previous retaliatory actions by the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump maintained a firm stance on Saturday, affirming the U.S. commitment to using “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthi forces discontinue their attacks. Furthermore, Trump warned that Iran would be held accountable for the Houthis’ actions, given Tehran’s alleged support of the rebels.
The Houthis have been actively targeting global shipping lanes in the Red Sea, having sunk two vessels as a demonstration of support for Palestinians in Gaza, which is engaged in a conflict with Israel—another ally of Iran. Hostilities had temporarily halted after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was established in January, a day before President Trump assumed office. However, the Houthis recently threatened to resume their attacks on Israeli ships following Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza. No incidents have been reported since that announcement.
The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that overnight U.S. airstrikes resulted in at least 31 casualties, including women and children, with over 100 wounded in Sanaa and the Saada province, regarded as their stronghold near Saudi Arabia. These strikes are one of the largest against the Houthis since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023.
Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, shared on ABC that these operations specifically targeted and eliminated several Houthi leaders, although no specific names or evidence were cited. Rubio acknowledged the destruction of some Houthi facilities.
In reaction to the U.S. airstrikes, the Houthis’ political bureau announced intentions to counteract and match escalation with escalation. On Sunday, they claimed to have aimed missiles and a drone at the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group. However, U.S. officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported no tracking of these attacks.
Rubio disclosed that over 18 months, there have been 174 direct attacks on the U.S. Navy by the Houthis, along with 145 attacks on commercial vessels using precision weaponry. This ongoing conflict has resulted in the most intense naval combat experienced by the U.S. since World War II.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard leader, Gen. Hossein Salami, publicly rejected any involvement in Houthi operations, asserting on state TV that Iran does not dictate the operational policies of its regional affiliates. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, posted on X urging the U.S. to cease airstrikes, emphasizing that Washington cannot control Iran’s foreign policy.
The U.S. has persistently accused Iran of supplying military assistance to the Houthis. The U.S. Navy previously intercepted Iranian-made missile components allegedly directed towards the rebels. Though the United States, Israel, and Britain have targeted Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen before, this recent operation was exclusively an American initiative, marking the first since the second Trump administration began.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group, which is comprised of the carrier, three destroyers, and a cruiser, participated in the Red Sea mission. Additionally, the USS Georgia cruise missile submarine has operated in the territory.
