In response to a Houthi attack on two Saudi oil tankers, U.S. President Donald Trump held the Islamic Republic accountable for the group’s actions, warning that Tehran would face “major military punishment” if such attacks continue.
Writing on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump noted that approximately one year ago, the United States had targeted the Houthis “very hard” due to their strikes on commercial shipping. He added that since then, and even during the conflict between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic, the Houthis had acted “very responsibly,” but noted that “unfortunately, they have started up again” after firing on two Saudi vessels the previous night.
The U.S. President warned: “If they do it again, the United States will hold Iran responsible because the Houthis are a proxy of the Islamic Republic. In that case, a major military punishment will be inflicted on Iran, as well as on the Houthis themselves.”
Trump also expressed disappointment over the Houthis’ recent actions, noting that, up until this point, the group had behaved “professionally and smartly.”
In the early hours of Thursday, the Iranian-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting two Saudi oil tankers - the Ansalia and the Lilia - using drones and missiles. Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesperson, announced that the two vessels were targeted for “violating the naval blockade” declared by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia.
