President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that the United States had privately conveyed a message to Iran concerning its support for Houthi rebels targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. This statement came as Biden was on his way to Camp David for the weekend.
The U.S. military, along with British forces, conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to missile and drone strikes by the group against commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, launched Tomahawk land missiles, striking a Houthi radar site used to target ships in the Red Sea. This action was described as a follow-up measure to degrade the Houthis’ ability to attack maritime vessels, including commercial ones.
Friday’s attack was part of a broader air raid led by American and British forces, targeting over 60 Houthi locations across Yemen, resulting in at least five deaths and several injuries. The strikes aimed to respond to the Houthis’ campaign against vessels in the Red Sea.
In response to these military actions, President Biden emphasized that the initial strikes had effectively communicated the message to Iran. The Houthis, controlling most of northern Yemen, have vowed retaliation for the strikes, with their spokesperson declaring a strong and effective response.
Iranian officials condemned the airstrikes as violations of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international laws. This escalation in the Red Sea region comes amid growing concerns about a potential regional conflict in the Middle East, particularly with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.