Trump says he’ll hold Iran responsible for future Houthi attacks on ships

President Donald Trump said Iran would be held responsible for any future attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on ships, treating them as attacks directed by Tehran. The warning raised the prospect of a wider conflict, as the US was expanding strikes against the Iran-backed group in an effort to protect shipping in the Red Sea.

Trump said every Houthi shot would be regarded as coming from Iran’s weapons and leadership, and threatened “dire” consequences. The Houthis had said they would resume attacks on Israeli-linked vessels if Israel did not lift restrictions on aid entering Gaza; since late 2023, their Red Sea campaign had targeted more than 100 merchant ships, sinking two and killing four sailors.