Biden: We Sent a 'Private Message' to Iran Regarding Houthi Attacks

On Saturday, January 13, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the U.S. sent a 'private message' to Iran concerning the Houthis, who are supported by the Islamic Republic and are responsible for attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. Before departing for the presidential retreat at Camp David, Biden told reporters, 'We sent that [message] privately and we are confident in our full readiness.' After Biden stated on Friday 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, the U.S. military attacked the group's positions in Yemen early Saturday. The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported that the U.S. and Britain targeted Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. However, shortly after, CNN reported that this round of attacks was conducted solely by the U.S. without the presence of other U.S. allies. The network cited an American official stating that at least one radar facility used by the Houthis was targeted in the early morning attacks. The Associated Press also confirmed the attack on a Houthi-controlled base, stating that this base was a radar site that posed a risk to commercial ships in the Red Sea. Some news sources indicate that the early morning attacks were carried out from one of the U.S. Navy ships stationed in the Red Sea. On Friday morning, the U.S., in collaboration with Britain and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, attacked at least 30 positions used by the Houthis in various regions of Yemen. Biden described the purpose of Friday's attacks on Houthi positions as 'ensuring freedom of navigation in one of the world's most vital waterways,' adding, 'These attacks are a direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks on international maritime vessels, including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history in the Red Sea.' A Pentagon spokesperson stated that U.S. officials believe the Houthis' capabilities have been 'weakened' after Friday's attacks and that they are no longer able to repeat their combined attacks against commercial ships. Several members of the U.S. Congress also issued separate statements after Friday's attacks, expressing support for allied attacks against the Houthis and emphasizing the need for a change in U.S. strategy regarding global terrorism and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the Houthis and the Islamic Republic on Wednesday that the continued Houthi attacks supported by the Islamic Republic on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea would have 'consequences.' Additionally, the UN Security Council on Wednesday, with a majority vote, called on the Iran-backed Houthis to immediately cease their attacks on shipping lines in a resolution proposed by the United States. Simultaneously, the British newspaper Telegraph reported on Wednesday, January 10, citing its intelligence sources within Iran, that the Houthi group in Yemen has been trained at the 'Khamenei University of Marine Sciences and Technologies' in Zibakenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. Biden stated that the Islamic Republic avoids conflict with the U.S.; we are not seeking a proxy war with Iran. A review of reactions to the U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The British Maritime Security Organization reported that the Houthis mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil. Major transport companies welcomed the U.S. and British attacks on the Houthis; tankers changed their routes. Joe Biden confirmed the attack on Houthi positions in Yemen; the international community's response to this group was 'united and decisive.' The Houthis claim that 11 militants were killed and injured in the U.S. and British attacks. The U.S. Air Force reported that 60 military targets of the Houthis in Yemen were attacked. The Islamic Republic criticized the U.S. and British attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. The commander of CENTCOM stated that the Houthis and their Iranian supporters are responsible for illegal attacks in the region. Airstrikes by the coalition against the Houthis in Yemen; Saudi Arabia called for restraint.