U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his warnings to the Houthis in Yemen, saying that any new attack on commercial ships in the Red Sea would bring "major military punishment" for both the Iran-backed group and Tehran.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said future Houthi attacks would be considered Iran's responsibility, arguing that the Yemeni movement acts as an Iranian proxy. The U.S. president warned that new attacks would have significant military consequences for both Tehran and the Houthis.
The tough message came after the Houthis announced missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil tankers. The Houthis had previously threatened to blockade Saudi Red Sea ports. Saudi officials confirmed a tanker was hit, while the British maritime security monitoring agency reported that a tanker was struck southwest of Al Shuqaiq and caught fire.
Trump acknowledged that the Houthis had largely held back during the recent conflict with Iran, but suggested they reversed that stance with the attacks on Saudi ships.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Manila, said the Houthis had been "tricked" by Tehran into launching attacks in the Red Sea. Rubio also expressed hope that the Houthis would step back from escalating tensions.
The Red Sea is a critical maritime trade route connecting Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. Any disruption in the region could have far-reaching effects on global energy supplies and international trade.
U.S.-Iran tensions have spread beyond the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz. Washington continues its strikes on Iranian military targets, while Tehran responds with retaliatory actions across the region. Both waterways handle a significant portion of the world's oil shipments.
Amid the military escalation, diplomatic efforts are also underway. Oman announced it is working to revive the Yemen peace process in coordination with Saudi Arabia, Yemeni parties, and the United Nations special envoy. This initiative highlights the delicate balance facing regional actors.
Oil prices are fluctuating on concerns that instability in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz could lead to supply disruptions. Trump's warning reinforces the view that future Houthi operations are inseparable from Iranian policy, directly linking them to potential action against Iran.
