President Trump has escalated threats towards Iran for its support of Houthi attacks in Yemen. He emphasizes that the U.S. will hold Iran accountable for Houthi actions following military strikes against the rebels. Trump’s aggressive posturing marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Iran, amidst ongoing tensions regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional stability.

Recent developments have led President Donald Trump to issue strong warnings to Iran regarding its support for Houthi attacks in Yemen. Following U.S. military strikes on Houthi positions, Trump signaled a more aggressive stance toward Iran, emphasizing its responsibility for the actions of the Houthis on his social media platform, Truth Social.

In his post, Trump referred to the Houthis as “sinister mobsters and thugs” and asserted that their attacks are orchestrated by Iran. He indicated that any further Houthi aggression would provoke significant retaliatory actions from the U.S., stating, “There is no guarantee that that force will stop there.” This marks a notable shift in U.S. policy, hinting at potential military engagement with Iran.

Iran’s involvement in Yemen has long been acknowledged, with the Houthis identified as part of an Iran-supported “axis of resistance.” Trump’s recent comments intensify prior demands for Iran to cease its backing of the rebels. Moreover, Trump more forcefully tied all Houthi actions to Iran, asserting, “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN.”

The backdrop of these threats features a delicate diplomatic situation, worsened by Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). His failure to secure a new nuclear deal has prompted aggressive rhetoric; earlier attempts to negotiate have been rebuffed by Iran’s Supreme Leader, who dismissed Trump’s tactics as bullying.

Simultaneously, the Houthis have declared intentions to target Israeli ships, claiming this is in response to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian supplies to Gaza. In retaliation to these threats, Trump ordered U.S. military actions against the Houthis, leading to approximately 47 airstrikes across multiple Yemeni provinces over one weekend.

In his announcement of the strikes, Trump reiterated warnings to Iran, demanding an end to all support for the Houthis and declaring America would hold Iran accountable for threats against its interests. Since November 2023, the Houthis have executed nearly 100 attacks on vessels in the region, escalating tensions further.

While previous President Joe Biden’s administration focused on targeting Houthi capabilities while avoiding escalation, Trump has criticized these efforts as ineffective. He referred to Biden’s policies as “pathetically weak” and positioned his military strikes as a strong alternative.

In response, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi vowed retaliation for Trump’s strikes, suggesting that U.S. vessels could become targets. Experts posit that Trump’s aggressive military strategy may serve a dual purpose: Aimed at weakening the Houthis while simultaneously attempting to pressure Iran back to nuclear negotiations.

Trump’s rhetoric contradicts his campaign promises to facilitate peace in the Middle East and reduce military involvement abroad. Observers note the irony in his current escalation of military action, a move that may paradoxically undermine his campaign’s focus on reducing U.S. foreign conflicts.

Colin Clarke, director of research at the Soufan Group, suggested that these actions could be interpreted as an attempt to attract Iran’s attention in relation to potential nuclear discussions.

In summary, President Trump’s intensified rhetoric against Iran following U.S. military actions in Yemen highlights increasing tensions involving the Houthis. The consequences of Iran’s support for these rebels can lead to significant retaliatory measures, with Trump asserting that any harmful actions by the Houthis will be perceived as emanating from Iran itself. Trump’s actions aim to push Iran toward negotiations concerning its nuclear program, despite contradicting his original campaign promises of peace and military withdrawal from the region.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com