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

President Donald Trump has threatened "major military punishment" against the Houthi militia and Iran, vowing to hold Tehran responsible for any future attacks by the Houthis targeting shipping in the Red Sea. This escalation follows recent assaults on oil tankers in 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 responsibility, given Tehran's significant support for the group. He warned that a repetition of these attacks would be met with a military response targeting both entities.

The U.S. President noted that the Houthis had maintained restraint since American strikes against them approximately a year ago. However, he indicated that they had "returned to escalation" following the attack that targeted two Saudi tankers the previous night. Trump asserted that any new escalation by the Houthi militia would lead to stringent military actions, emphasizing that Washington would not differentiate between the militia and Iran concerning responsibility for attacks on shipping or regional interests.

Trump's remarks came after the Houthi militia announced on Wednesday that it had carried out an attack targeting two oil tankers in the Red Sea, identified as ENCELIA and LAYLA. The militia described this as part of its naval military operations, with its military spokesperson claiming the attack was executed using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The spokesperson alleged that the strikes hit the tankers, causing fires onboard.

The spokesperson also claimed that the attack forced approximately ten vessels to alter course or retreat, asserting that the militia would continue its naval operations and maintain its policy of "blockade for blockade." Independent confirmation regarding the Houthi claims of damage to the tankers or the impact of the attacks on Red Sea navigation was not immediately available.