Extensive U.S. Airstrikes Against Houthis; Iranian Officials Respond to Trump's Warning

The United States has launched extensive airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis and warned Tehran to immediately cease its support for this group, which is designated as terrorist by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced late Saturday, March 16, that fighter jets stationed on an American ship in the Red Sea began a series of airstrikes against Houthi positions. According to Reuters, at least 31 people were killed in the airstrikes on Saturday night. Houthi officials claim that 23 others were injured; this claim cannot be independently verified. A resident of Yemen told Reuters that 'the explosions were severe and shook the neighborhood like an earthquake.' Just hours earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned the Houthis that if they do not stop their actions, including targeting ships and launching missiles towards Israel, 'hell will be unleashed upon you.' Trump also warned Iran that if it does not cease its support for the Houthis, the U.S. will hold Tehran 'fully accountable and we will not be lenient in this regard.' Trump announced U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis and warned Iran. On his social media platform Truth, he stated that he has ordered the U.S. military to initiate decisive and powerful military action against 'Houthi terrorists' in Yemen. The U.S. President referred to the Houthis as 'thugs' who are 'funded by Iran' and have launched a 'relentless campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism' against the U.S. and others. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called for a 'halt' to the new U.S. attacks on the Houthis and reacted to Trump's warning about the consequences of continued Tehran support for the Houthis. Araqchi wrote on social media platform X that 'the U.S. government has no right to dictate Iran's foreign policy. That era ended in 1979.' Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, also condemned the U.S. and U.K. attacks on the Houthis as 'severe.' Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, responded to the U.S. President's remarks on Sunday, stating that 'Iran will never be the initiator of war... but if someone threatens us,' Iran will provide 'appropriate, decisive, and conclusive responses.' He further denied any connection between the Islamic Republic and the destabilizing operations of the Yemeni Houthis, warning all enemies that 'we will respond to any threat that takes a practical form with a harsh, decisive, and devastating reaction.' Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced that Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, informed his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, about the military operations. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Lavrov urged the U.S. to stop its attacks on the Houthis. According to this report, Lavrov emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of the use of force and the importance of political dialogue among all parties to prevent further bloodshed during a phone conversation with Rubio. The airstrikes against the Houthis represent the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Donald Trump took office on January 20. Reuters and other media outlets reported that these attacks are not limited to just one day and will continue. Over the past 18 months, the Houthis have claimed to support Palestinians and have conducted dozens of attacks on ships passing through the region. This group, which the U.S. recently re-listed as a terrorist organization, claims to only target Israeli ships or those heading to Israel, but they have repeatedly targeted other vessels. Many shipping companies have been forced to choose longer and more expensive routes to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea over the past year and a half. CENTCOM emphasized in its statement that these attacks mark the beginning of a broad operation that includes precise strikes on Houthi targets throughout Yemen to restore freedom of navigation. The U.S. Secretary of Defense also reiterated Trump's warnings regarding Iran and the Houthis by reposting Trump's note. Pete Hegseth wrote on social media platform X: 'The Houthis' attacks on American ships and aircraft (and our soldiers) will not be tolerated, and Iran, their benefactor, is being watched.' Hegseth also emphasized that freedom of navigation will be restored. Marco Rubio also reiterated Trump's message, emphasizing that the U.S. will hold 'Iran-backed Houthi terrorists' accountable. The U.S. attacks began just days after the Iran-backed Houthis announced they would resume attacks on ships following a period of relative calm in the region. These attacks also come as the Trump administration increases pressure on Iran to return to the negotiating table regarding its nuclear program. Trump recently stated that he sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing that there are only two options for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue: agreement or military action against Tehran. However, Ali Khamenei rejected negotiations with the Trump administration, and the White House responded by reminding Iran of the two options. During his first term, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA in May 2018 and reinstated Washington's sanctions against Tehran, asserting that the provisions of the JCPOA do not prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In this term, Trump also signed a presidential memorandum in mid-February to resume maximum pressure on Iran but stated that he hopes there will be no need to implement it and that an agreement will be reached with Tehran. The Houthis captured much of northwestern Yemen and the capital, Sana'a, in 2014, leading to a war that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and caused a major humanitarian crisis in the poorest Arab country.