Trump’s Bold Warnings and Military Action Against Yemen’s Iran-Backed Militants
On March 16, 2025, Yemen’s Houthi authorities launched drone and missile strikes on the US aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, claiming retaliation for recent American raids on Yemen. Military spokesman Yahya al-Sarea stated the Houthis fired 18 missiles and conducted a drone attack on the US vessel in the northern Red Sea, pledging that this “US aggression” would only strengthen Yemen’s resolve.
However, US officials reported that American warships successfully intercepted the missiles and drones, asserting that the USS Harry S. Truman was unaffected. Despite this, the tensions between Yemen’s Houthis and the United States are expected to intensify, with the focus not only on freedom of navigation but also on the wider US-Iran standoff.
Since the Gaza war’s outbreak in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 vessels in the Red Sea and fired missiles at Israel. The militia, which controls a significant portion of Yemen, has disrupted key international shipping routes. The Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which links Asian and European markets, saw ships rerouting, adding delays and costs to global trade, including a spike in insurance premiums.
The Houthis, adhering to a staunchly anti-American and anti-Israeli stance, justified these actions as support for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. In 2024, the Biden administration had authorised limited military responses to the Houthi threat, aiming to manage, not eliminate, the group’s operations. However, the situation escalated in March 2025, after Israel blocked aid to Gaza, prompting the Houthis to resume attacks.
President Donald Trump has now taken a more aggressive stance, authorising bombings on Houthi military targets in Yemen. His explicit message to the Houthis was chilling: “Hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before” if their attacks continue.
Trump’s real target, however, remains Iran, which is widely believed to provide military support to the Houthis. The US President warned Iran not to threaten American interests, vowing that the US would hold the country accountable.
The Houthis, a Shi’ite militia backed by Iran, are seen as an integral part of Tehran’s broader regional strategy. Despite Iranian denials, their military actions, including the use of Iranian-made missiles, suggest strong backing from Tehran. The US now aims to sever this Iranian support, seeing it as critical to reducing Iran’s influence in the region.
Although tensions have been rising, Iran remains defiant. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected US demands to stop backing the Houthis, asserting that Iran would not be dictated to on foreign policy.
With the US determined to weaken Iran’s regional allies, and the Houthis resolute in their resistance, the situation is likely to escalate further, marking a critical juncture in Trump’s second term. The developments also align with Israeli interests, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long anticipated direct confrontation between the US and Iran.
