President Donald Trump stated on July 23, 2026, that the United States would inflict "major military punishment" if Houthi forces in Yemen carry out further attacks on shipping vessels. The warning follows Houthi claims of responsibility for attacking two oil tankers in the Red Sea, including a Saudi vessel. International oil prices rose above $100 a barrel following the reports, as the attacks occurred near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a passage for approximately 12 percent of global trade.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration believes Iran is providing weapons and military advice to Houthi leadership. Rubio stated that the U.S. policy involves a "head for an eye" approach and indicated that the administration is currently not pursuing diplomatic talks, asserting that Iran is not prepared to reach a sustainable agreement. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that any military actions targeting Yemen would be met with "major operations" against the territories of opposing nations.
The exchange follows 12 days of American military strikes, which the U.S. says are intended to degrade Iranian control over regional shipping lanes. Iranian officials reported that a recent U.S. strike on a border crossing into Iraq killed at least two people. Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. These events mark a significant increase in regional activity since a 2022 truce previously brought a pause to nearly a decade of conflict in Yemen.