Washington - U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran will be held accountable for any attacks carried out by the Houthi movement in Yemen, as his administration expands the largest U.S. military campaign in the Middle East since his return to the White House.

Escalation of U.S. Airstrikes

In response to Houthi threats to international shipping, the United States launched a new wave of airstrikes on Saturday, targeting multiple locations. According to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, the latest strikes on Monday hit the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate, north of the capital, Sana’a.

Trump, in a forceful statement on Truth Social, declared:
“Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible and suffer the consequences. And those consequences will be dire!”

The White House reinforced Trump’s stance, stating that his message to Iran was a clear warning to take the United States seriously.

Pentagon: Overwhelming Force Until Attacks Cease

The Pentagon reported that over 30 Houthi targets have been struck so far, with military officials confirming that lethal force will continue until the Houthis halt their attacks.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell clarified that the objective of the operation is not regime change but rather to neutralize the group’s military capabilities.

A Broader Military Campaign

Lieutenant General Alex Grynkewich, director of operations at the Joint Staff, emphasized that this U.S. campaign differs from the one under former President Joe Biden due to its wider target scope, which now includes senior Houthi drone experts.

According to Grynkewich, the recent strikes resulted in dozens of Houthi casualties. Unlike Biden’s administration, which refrained from targeting high-ranking Houthi figures, Trump’s approach appears more aggressive.

Rising Civilian Toll

The Houthi-controlled health ministry reported that at least 53 people were killed in recent U.S. attacks, including five children and two women, while 98 others were injured. Reuters has not independently verified these figures.

The Houthis, who control major population centers in Yemen despite nearly a decade of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, have intensified their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes since November 2023, disrupting global trade and maritime security.

As U.S.-Houthi tensions escalate, the situation remains volatile, with potential for further military confrontations and broader geopolitical implications in the region.