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Iran and Houthi rebels have issued a response following the United States’ destructive missile airstrikes in Yemen.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump initiated a large-scale military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeting critical military sites in retaliation for what he described as an “unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism” against American and allied ships.
The airstrikes, which commenced overnight on March 15, focused on Houthi bases, leadership, and missile defense systems.
Explosions rocked Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other significant areas, resulting in at least 31 deaths—primarily women and children, according to Houthi health officials, as reported by The Independent. More than 100 others have been injured.
“Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” the POTUS wrote on Truth Social. “They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones.”
Trump blamed the previous administration for failing to act aggressively enough, saying it had emboldened the Iran-backed militants.
“Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going,” Trump said. “It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden.
“The last American warship to go through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis over a dozen times.”
Trump also highlighted the economic toll of the Houthi attacks, citing billions in losses due to disrupted global trade.
As the microphone was swiftly pulled away, President Trump couldn’t resist commenting on the moment, delivering 12 words that underscored the impact of “booping” the President of the United States with a mic.
“She just made television tonight. She just became a big story tonight,” Trump joked, seemingly addressing the reporter responsible for the mic mishap.
Still laughing, he turned to someone off-camera and asked, “Did you see that?”
The identity of the media outlet behind the boom mic operator remains unclear, though such microphones are typically used to capture clear audio near the loud engines of Air Force One and Marine One.
Unfazed, Trump proceeded to answer questions before heading aboard Air Force One.
“Funded by Iran, the Houthi Thugs Have Fired Missiles”
“Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have launched missiles at U.S. aircraft and targeted our troops and allies. These unrelenting assaults have cost the U.S. and the global economy billions of dollars while simultaneously putting innocent lives at risk,” President Trump continued.
In his statement, Trump emphasized that his administration would pursue a robust military response to Houthi aggression.
“The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we achieve our objective,” he added.
Trump Issues a Stark Warning to Houthi Rebels
In his post on Truth Social, President Trump issued a stern warning to the Houthi rebels should their attacks persist.
“Our brave Warfighters are currently executing aerial strikes on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defense systems to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom,” Trump wrote.
“No terrorist force will prevent American commercial and naval vessels from freely navigating the waterways of the world.”
He concluded with a dire warning: “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”
Iran and Houthi Rebels Respond Amid Rising Tensions
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, sharply criticized the U.S. military actions in Yemen, describing Trump’s decision as a “gross violation of the principles of the UN Charter.”
In an official statement, Baqaei condemned the U.S. airstrikes, labeling them as “brutal.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also denounced the strike, asserting that the Trump administration had “no authority” to dictate foreign policy.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have vowed to retaliate.
“This aggression will not go unanswered, and our Yemeni armed forces are prepared to escalate in response,” they declared in a statement on their Al-Masirah TV station.
The administrator of the Houthi Ansarollah website condemned the “criminal brutality” carried out under Washington’s orders, referring to it as “U.S.-British aggression.”
The U.S. military’s Central Command described the operation as the start of a major campaign aimed at undermining the Houthis’ ability to carry out further attacks. A senior U.S. defense official, speaking to Reuters, suggested that the strikes could continue for weeks.
The Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels since the beginning of Israel’s war with Gaza, citing their actions as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Their attacks have forced ships to reroute, disrupted global commerce, and drawn US and allied forces into costly missile-defense operations.
Iran Warned: “Support for the Houthis Must End IMMEDIATELY”
Trump also directed a sharp warning to Iran, which provides weapons and financial support to the Houthis.
Trump’s Warning to Iran
“To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American people, their President, who has received one of the largest mandates in presidential history, or global shipping lanes,” Trump cautioned. “If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it!”
Iran Responds to Trump’s Threats
Iranian officials quickly countered Trump’s accusations. The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, rejected claims that Tehran controls the Houthis’ decision-making process.
“We warn our enemies that Iran will respond decisively and destructively if they act on their threats,” Salami stated in remarks to state media.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also condemned the U.S. actions, accusing America of escalating tensions in the region.
Featured image credit: Fox/X/
