President Trump on Thursday responded to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebel group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, threatening to hold both Iran and the Houthis responsible.
Trump previously struck a deal with the Houthis after bombing them for over a month during Operation Rough Rider in Spring 2025. This came after they last targeted shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships. Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly,” Trump noted on Thursday. “Unfortunately, now they are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night,” he added, putting Iran and the Houthis on notice.
US forces completed a twelfth consecutive night of attacks on Iranian military sites on Wednesday night.
In footage released by US Central Command, Iranian military vehicles and boats are seen being blown up in airstrikes.
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As The Gateway Pundit reported, the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group started targeting shipping in the Red Sea on Wednesday after imposing a naval blockade on the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the gateway between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden near Saudi Arabia’s western coastline.
Trump responded to the Houthis’ threats on Tuesday, the day before the attack, telling reporters he’ll “take care of” the Houthis if they begin attacking ships.
On Thursday, Trump said in a statement, “If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves.”
Full statement below:
A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships. Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly. Unfortunately, now they are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves, who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
President Trump on Wednesday also issued new warnings against Iran, threatening to hit one power plant or bridge for every ship they hit in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attacked another tanker near the coast of Oman on Tuesday.
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