Iran denies allegations of supporting Houthis amid U.S. airstrikes ordered by Trump. The strikes resulted in civilian deaths and targeted the rebels’ interference with maritime shipping. Trump reinforced a commitment to retaliate against Houthi actions, increasing regional tensions.
Iran has denied providing support to Yemen’s Houthi rebels following recent U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump. The strikes targeted Houthi-controlled areas in the capital, Sanaa, as a response to the continued attacks on international shipping by the rebels.
A statement from President Trump emphasized a commitment to using “overwhelming lethal force” against the Houthis until they cease disrupting maritime routes. The U.S. Navy reportedly launched aircraft from the USS Harry S. Truman for these operations.
Iran’s denial of aiding the Houthis came after U.S. strikes which were claimed by the Houthi-run Health Ministry to have resulted in at least 31 fatalities, including women and children, and over 100 injuries. The rebels asserted that some strikes hit residential buildings, leading to civilian casualties.
The Houthis have been known to target shipping in the Red Sea and have claimed missile strikes against Israel as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid ongoing conflict with Hamas. A ceasefire had temporarily halted attacks, but threats to renew them reemerged following Israel’s blockade on Gaza.
The U.S. has accused Iran of supplying military equipment to the Houthis, citing seizure of Iranian weaponry by U.S. naval forces. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander dismissed any claims of Iranian involvement in the Houthis’ operational strategies.
Iranian officials have urged the U.S. to deescalate military actions, asserting that Washington cannot dictate their foreign policy. The airstrikes carried out on Saturday were characterized as the first under Trump’s second term, solely conducted by the U.S.
In summary, Iran has refuted allegations of aiding the Houthi rebels following a series of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, which President Trump ordered as a response to Houthi attacks on shipping. The strikes resulted in civilian casualties, raising tensions in the region, and drew further accusations of Iranian involvement in supporting the Houthis. The situation continues to evolve amidst calls for de-escalation and denunciations of military actions from opposing sides.
Original Source: apnews.com
