Trump says US will hold Iran responsible for any Houthi attacks
Washington, DC, July 23
US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating that Washington will hold Iran directly accountable if the Houthi movement executes further attacks on maritime vessels.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump highlighted that the United States had previously carried out a powerful military strike against the Houthis a year ago after the group disrupted global commerce and trade by targeting shipping lanes.
"A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships. Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly," Trump said.
However, the President noted that the group had renewed its aggressive posture, alleging that they had "started up again" by firing upon two Saudi Arabian vessels the preceding evening.
"Unfortunately, now they are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night," he stated.
Trump emphasised that his public declaration should serve as an explicit warning, cautioning that any subsequent offensive actions by the group would trigger direct retaliation against Iran.
"Please let this truth serve to represent that if they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran," Trump said.
He warned that any continuation of such maritime assaults would result in "major military punishment" directed at both Tehran and the Yemen-based movement.
"Major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves," Trump stated.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the sudden escalation, Trump noted that the group's recent conduct marked a departure from their prior restraint, remarking that they had "acted very professionally and smartly" until the latest incident.
"I am very disappointed with (the Houthis) in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smartly," Trump added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Look, I'm no fan of Trump's style, but he's right about one thing: the Houthis are clearly Iranian proxies. India's own shipping lanes near the Red Sea are vital for our oil imports. If the US can keep those routes safe without dragging us into another conflict, I'm all for it. But this 'major military punishment' talk is scary—last thing we need is a full-blown Iran-US war.
As someone who works in global trade, I'm worried about the Houthi attacks. Our shipping costs have already gone up because of disruptions in the Red Sea. But Trump's approach is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Why not use diplomacy with Iran instead of threatening to bomb them? This could escalate into a regional disaster.
Trump calling the Houthis 'professional and smart' until now is hilarious! They've been attacking Saudi infrastructure for years. The US just turns a blind eye when it suits them. And now they want to hold Iran responsible? What about the US selling arms to Saudi Arabia that get used against Yemeni civilians? Hypocrisy at its finest. 🎯
I'm just tired of these global power games affecting our everyday lives. India's fuel prices are already high because of Middle East tensions. Instead of threats, why can't the US and Iran sit down and talk? The Yemeni people have suffered enough—this is a humanitarian crisis, not a chessboard for superpowers. 🙏
Trump's warning makes sense from a strategic angle. Iran has been using proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria for decades. The H
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.