Houthis Threaten U.S. Ships Amid Rising Tensions Over Israel-Iran Conflict.
The Red Sea flashpoint reemerges as Yemen's Houthis vow retaliation if the U.S. joins strikes on Iran.
In a stark warning issued Saturday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels threatened to target U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if Washington intervenes militarily in support of Israel’s ongoing strikes against Iran. The threat comes despite a recent U.S.-brokered truce and signals a potential escalation in the region's already volatile security landscape.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declared in a video statement that “if the United States gets involved in an attack and aggression against Iran with the Israeli enemy,” Houthi forces would retaliate by striking American ships and warships in the Red Sea. The Iranian-backed group controls large parts of Yemen and has previously targeted Israel-linked vessels, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
Tensions have spiked following Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites last week, which provoked retaliatory attacks from Tehran. The U.S., a key ally of Israel, has been weighing its level of involvement in the conflict.
The Houthis had paused Red Sea attacks during a temporary ceasefire earlier this year but resumed threats in March, citing Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The U.S. responded with airstrikes until a May truce, mediated by Oman, temporarily halted hostilities. However, Israel has since resumed strikes on Houthi-held areas.
Accusing the U.S. of enabling Israeli ambitions in the region, Saree warned that any American assault aligned with Israel against Iran “cannot be ignored.”
This latest threat raises alarms over renewed instability in a key maritime corridor vital to global trade.
If you’re not already subscribed, now is the time. I am following all events closely, coupled with internal sources—offering deep insight, media clarity, and the context the headlines leave out.