rki.news | Sources: Anadolu
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington would hold Iran responsible if Yemen’s Houthi group carries out further attacks on commercial shipping, alleging that the group operates as an Iranian proxy.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump recalled previous US military operations against the Houthis, saying they were launched in response to attacks on international maritime trade. He said the group had remained relatively restrained during the recent US-Iran tensions but alleged it had resumed attacks by targeting two Saudi oil tankers.
Trump said the United States would view any future Houthi attacks on commercial vessels as actions carried out by an Iranian-backed proxy. He warned that both Iran and the Houthis could face military consequences if such attacks continue.
Earlier on Thursday, the Houthi group said it had carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the Houthis to stay out of the Iran conflict. Speaking to reporters, Rubio claimed the group had been drawn into the regional confrontation by Tehran and expressed hope that it would avoid further escalation.
There was no immediate response from Iranian officials to Trump’s remarks.