Biden: The Islamic Republic Avoids Conflict with the U.S.; We Are Not Seeking a Proxy War with Iran

During his visit to Pennsylvania on Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters, "I have previously conveyed my message to Tehran; they know they should not take destructive actions. In my opinion, the Islamic Republic avoids conflict with the U.S.; we are not seeking a proxy war with them." In another part of his conversation with reporters, he described the airstrikes early Friday against Houthi positions in Yemen as "successful," stating, "As far as I know, no civilians were harmed during these attacks." Earlier, Houthi officials claimed that at least 5 people were killed and 6 injured during the coalition's attacks on their positions, but they did not specify whether these individuals were civilians or Houthi militants. Biden also emphasized that if the Houthis continue their destructive behavior in the Red Sea and threaten international shipping and global trade, they can be assured that we will respond again. In response to a question about whether he is willing to label the Houthis a terrorist group, he told the reporter, "In my view, they are a terrorist group." This comes despite Biden having revoked the Trump administration's designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization at the beginning of his presidency. A Pentagon spokesperson stated that U.S. officials believe the Houthis' capabilities have been "weakened" after the early Friday attacks and that they are no longer able to repeat their combined attacks against commercial vessels. John Kirby, White House spokesperson, also mentioned that Biden decided to strike this group after the Houthis' "combined" attacks on Tuesday, January 9, involving eighteen drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile against maritime transport in the Red Sea. The early Friday attacks on January 22 by the United States and Britain against Houthi positions supported by the Islamic Republic in Yemen have elicited widespread reactions from American political officials and governments around the world. A review of the reactions to the U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen includes the British Maritime Security Organization stating that the Houthis mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil, major shipping companies welcoming the U.S. and British attacks on the Houthis, and the Houthis claiming that 11 militants were killed and wounded in the U.S. and British attacks. The U.S. Air Force targeted 60 military objectives of the Houthis in Yemen. The Islamic Republic criticized the U.S. and British attacks against Houthi positions in Yemen, while the commander of CENTCOM stated that the Houthis and their Iranian supporters are responsible for illegal attacks in the region.