President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States has launched airstrikes in Yemen targeting areas controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi group. This development comes in response to recent Houthi attacks on shipping vessels, linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The President emphasized that such attacks on American vessels "will not be tolerated" and issued a stern warning to Iran, urging it to cease its support for the Houthis immediately.
The airstrikes represent an escalation in U.S. efforts to curtail Iranian influence in the region. Trump described Iran's support for the Houthis as "unacceptable," aligning with his administration's broader strategy to limit Tehran's regional power. National security adviser Mike Waltz further reinforced this stance, stating, "It is completely unacceptable, and it will be stopped, the level of support that they’ve been providing the Houthis, just like they have Hezbollah, just like they have the militias in Iraq, Hamas and others."
In a related development, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has been actively engaging with both Russian and Ukrainian officials in an attempt to broker peace in Ukraine. Witkoff characterized his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "positive." The U.S. aims to establish a pathway to a ceasefire, although the task remains complex. Waltz noted the challenges facing Ukraine's territorial ambitions, commenting that it is unrealistic to expect Ukraine would regain all territory taken by Russia.
Despite these geopolitical challenges, Trump remains optimistic about his ability to influence international conflicts. He claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within a day or even before taking office.
"We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective," said Trump, underlining his administration's willingness to apply military might if necessary.
Meanwhile, Mike Waltz reiterated the administration's flexible approach in dealing with potential threats from Iran.
"All options are always on the table," said Waltz when asked about possible direct military action against Iran.
The situation underscores the heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, with both nations navigating a complex web of regional alliances and hostilities.