President Joe Biden said on Saturday the 13th that the United States sent a private message to Iran about the Iranian-backed Houthis, responsible for attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea.
“We sent it privately and we are confident that we are well prepared,” Biden told reporters at the White House before leaving for the presidential retreat at Camp David over the weekend.
The Houthi movement threatened a “strong and effective response” after the United States carried out another attack in Yemen overnight, further increasing tensions, while Washington promises to protect maritime transport from attacks by the Iran-aligned group.
The latest attack, which the US said hit a radar site, came a day after dozens of American and British attacks on Houthi facilities in Yemen.
White House spokesman John Kirby said Friday that the initial strikes hit the Houthis’ ability to store, launch and guide missiles or drones, which the group has used to threaten shipping.
He said Washington had no interest in a war with Yemen.
Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of “foreign terrorist organizations” in 2021, was asked by reporters on Friday whether he thought the term “terrorist” now described the movement.
“I think they are,” Biden responded.