U.S. President Donald Trump announced today that the United States will hold Iran accountable for any new attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, threatening "significant military punishment" against Tehran and the group itself.
Trump also expressed disappointment in the Houthi group, which he claimed had been acting "professionally and smartly."
This statement was made in a post on his platform "Truth Social," where Trump noted that Washington had launched a strong attack against the Houthis a year ago due to their interference in maritime trade by shooting at ships.
He added that the group had acted "very responsibly" during the period following that event and during confrontations with Iran, but they "have started again," firing at two Saudi ships last night.
The U.S. President emphasized that his statements should be regarded as a "truth" representing a warning, saying: "If they do it again, the United States will hold Iran accountable, considering the Houthis as a proxy for Iran."
Last night, a ship owned by a Saudi company was targeted, and an official source from the Saudi General Transport Authority stated that the vessel (ENCELIA) was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea, resulting in a fire at the ship's bow.
The source confirmed the safety of all crew members, and that all necessary measures were being taken by the relevant authorities to secure the ship, its crew, and to protect the marine environment.
Saudi Arabia affirmed that it would take all necessary measures to protect its ships in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982.
These attacks are considered violations of international laws and norms that ensure the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.