US President Donald Trump announced that Iran would face military punishment if the Houthis in Yemen launch new attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said they would hold Tehran responsible for any future Houthi attacks and threatened the Iran-backed group with 'major military punishment'.
The US president acknowledged that the Houthis had held back during the recent conflict with Iran, but suggested they changed this stance with the attacks on Saudi vessels. Trump's stern warning came immediately after the Houthis announced they had carried out missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on two Saudi oil tankers.
While Saudi officials confirmed that one tanker was hit, the British maritime security monitoring agency reported that a tanker was struck southwest of Al Shuqaiq and a fire broke out on board. The Houthis had previously threatened to blockade Saudi Red Sea ports.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Manila, said the Houthis had been 'tricked' by Tehran into launching attacks in the Red Sea. Rubio expressed hope that the Houthis would step back from escalating tensions.
The Red Sea is a critical maritime trade route connecting Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, and any disruption in the region could directly affect global energy supplies and international trade. Oil prices are fluctuating amid concerns that instability in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz could lead to supply disruptions.
The US-Iran tensions have spread beyond the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz. Both waterways handle a significant portion of the world's oil shipments.
Amid the military escalation, diplomatic efforts are also underway. Oman announced it is working to revive the Yemen peace process in coordination with Saudi Arabia, Yemeni parties and the UN special envoy.
