Iran denies aiding Yemen’s Houthi rebels after U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Trump in response to missile attacks on shipping lanes. The strikes resulted in casualties, with the Houthis previously targeting maritime traffic in solidarity with Palestine. U.S. accusations of Iranian support for Houthi military actions persist while tensions escalate following humanitarian blockades.
Iran has adamantly denied involvement with Yemen’s Houthi rebels following a series of U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump on March 15, 2025. The strikes target Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, as a response to escalating attacks on maritime routes in the Red Sea by the rebels, which are purportedly supported by Iran. President Trump emphasized the use of “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis cease their aggression against shipping lanes.
On the ground, reports indicate that at least 31 individuals were killed, including women and children, resulting from the U.S. strikes. The Houthis asserted that residential areas were impacted, specifically mentioning fatalities within the northern Saada province. Despite these claims, the Iranian government continues to reject allegations of providing military support to the Houthis and insists that it does not influence operational directives of its regional allies.
The Houthi faction has historically engaged in targeting international maritime vessels and launched missile strikes towards Israel as acts of solidarity with Palestine during ongoing military engagements in Gaza against Hamas. Although a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict halted Houthi attacks in January 2024, renewed threats emerged in light of recent humanitarian blockades by Israel.
The U.S. has long accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with military resources, with Navy operations previously seizing Iranian weaponry intended for the group. Iranian officials, including General Hossein Salami of the Revolutionary Guard, reiterated that Iran does not play a role in external militant strategies.
In light of these developments, U.S. airstrikes are unprecedented against the Houthis under the current presidential administration, illustrating a shift in direct military actions against Iranian proxies in the region. These events illustrate the escalating tensions and the complex interplay of regional power dynamics surrounding the Yemen conflict.
In summary, Iran has denied any support for the Houthi rebels following U.S. airstrikes aimed at curtailing Houthi attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea. The airstrikes resulted in casualties, with the Houthis threatening renewed attacks. This situation underscores the ongoing conflict dynamics in Yemen and raises questions regarding Iran’s influence within the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
