President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States will hold Iran responsible for future attacks conducted by Houthi forces. The announcement, made via Truth Social, followed reports that the Yemen-based group claimed responsibility for strikes on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. In his post, the president characterized the Houthis as a proxy of Iran and warned of military consequences for both entities if the attacks continue.
The warning comes amid 12 consecutive days of U.S. military strikes against targets in Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. These operations are part of an ongoing conflict centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump previously indicated a strategy of targeting Iranian infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges, in response to any interference with shipping in the waterway.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the conflict. While Hegseth did not provide a specific timeline for the conclusion of military operations, he told lawmakers that Iran's military capability has been significantly diminished. Meanwhile, the Houthis have declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, aiming to restrict access to the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The current escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire earlier this month. The U.S. previously conducted a two-month bombing campaign against Houthi targets in early 2025, which the administration ended after the group indicated a desire to stop fighting. Recent polling by POLITICO indicates that approximately 34% of self-identified MAGA Trump voters believe the economic costs of the war in Iran are justified.