President Donald Trump has threatened major military punishment
for both Iran and the Yemen-based Houthis if the militant group continues to attack shipping in the Red Sea. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the U.S. will hold Iran responsible for further strikes because the Houthis act as a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran.
The warning follows a series of escalations in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Trump told Axios in an interview that he is close to making a decision
regarding a potential “massive attack” and is considering stepping up strikes on Iran as the Middle East war puts new strain on global energy supplies, according to Bloomberg.
Houthi Blockade and Tanker Attacks
The renewed tensions began after the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, announced a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping on July 20. The group claimed these actions were retaliation for the July 13 bombing of the Sanaa airport’s runway, an operation the internationally recognised government of Yemen said was conducted to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. The Houthis have attributed the bombing to Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced that the group struck two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, using drones and missiles. While the Houthis claimed both were hit for violating the blockade, Saudi authorities have only confirmed damage to one of the two vessels, according to indiatvnews.com. In addition to the maritime strikes, the Houthis fired missiles into an airport in Saudi Arabia.
Global Economic and Humanitarian Stakes
The maritime campaign has already forced at least five tankers to change course to avoid the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. These disruptions have contributed to Brent crude oil prices rising above $100 a barrel. Analysts warn that sustained blockades in this strategic choke point could force vessels to reroute around Africa, significantly increasing energy prices and shipping costs.
The United Nations envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed alarm on Thursday, warning that these escalatory actions
risk dragging Yemen back into a full-scale war and deepening the suffering of its people. The UN estimates that 22 million Yemenis require aid this year, with 18.3 million facing acute food insecurity. Grundberg called for negotiations to address the country’s security and political challenges, noting that the civil war has been largely paused since 2022 despite a political deadlock between the Houthis in Sanaa and the government in Aden.
Wider U.S.-Iran Conflict
The threats against the Houthis coincide with a broader U.S. military campaign against Iran. According to Al Jazeera, the United States has carried out 12 consecutive nights of strikes on Iran, a conflict that has already disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has indicated plans to strike an Iranian power plant or bridge every time Iran targets a ship in that waterway.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the Philippines on Thursday that he hopes the situation will de-escalate, suggesting the Houthis were snookered into this thing by the Iranians.
Trump expressed disappointment in the Houthis, noting that they had acted very professionally and smart
and very responsibly
following a nearly two-month-long U.S. bombing campaign against the group in March. However, he stated that the group has now started up again
by targeting Saudi ships.
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