U.S. President Donald Trump launched large-scale military strikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, killing at least 24 people, after continued attacks on Red Sea shipping. The offensive, expected to last weeks, marks the biggest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office.
Trump warned Iran to halt support for the Houthis, vowing severe consequences if it threatened the U.S. "To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP," he posted on Truth Social. The strikes, carried out by fighter jets from the USS Harry S. Truman, hit Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital Sanaa and the northern province of Saada. Civilian casualties were reported, with at least 13 killed and nine injured in Sanaa.
The Houthis condemned the attacks as a "war crime" and vowed retaliation. Since November 2023, they have targeted global shipping routes, disrupting trade and escalating tensions. The Pentagon reported that Houthis launched 174 attacks on U.S. warships and 145 on commercial vessels, justifying U.S. military intervention.
The strikes come amid growing U.S.-Iran tensions, as Tehran accelerates uranium enrichment near weapons-grade levels. Trump's administration seeks to pressure Iran back into nuclear negotiations, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei rejected talks. Iran, facing economic turmoil and potential mass protests, is also grappling with weakened allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
The U.S. aims to restore Red Sea security while increasing pressure on Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of the strikes, signaling broader geopolitical implications. As conflict escalates, global trade and Middle East stability hang in the balance.