Trump Threatens Major Military Response Against Houthis, Iran Over Red Sea Attacks

President Donald Trump has vowed a "major military punishment" against the Houthi militia and Iran, pledging to hold Tehran responsible for any future attacks by the group on Red Sea shipping. The threat marks a significant escalation in tensions within the vital maritime corridor.

In a post on the "Truth Social" platform, Trump stated that the United States would consider any attack by the Houthi militia an act for which Iran bears the consequences, given Tehran's primary support for the group. He warned that a repetition of such attacks would be met with a military response targeting both entities.

The US President noted that the Houthis had exercised restraint since American strikes against them approximately a year ago, but asserted that they had "returned to escalation" following an attack that targeted two Saudi oil tankers the previous night. Trump emphasized that any new escalation by the Houthi militia would lead to stringent military actions, indicating that Washington would not differentiate between the militia and Iran regarding responsibility for attacks on shipping or regional interests.

Trump's remarks followed the Houthi militia's announcement on Wednesday that it had carried out an attack targeting two oil tankers in the Red Sea, which they identified as the ENCELIA and LAYLA. The group described the incident as part of its naval military operations. The militia's military spokesperson claimed the attack was executed using ballistic missiles, winged missiles, and drones, alleging that the strikes hit the tankers and caused fires on board.

The spokesperson further claimed that the attack forced approximately ten vessels to alter their course or retreat, and affirmed that the militia would continue its naval operations, stressing the continuation of what they termed a "blockade for blockade" policy. Independent confirmation regarding the Houthi claims of the extent of damage to the tankers or the impact of the attacks on Red Sea navigation traffic was not immediately available.