US Vows 'Major Military Punishment' on Iran, Houthis for Saudi Ship Attacks
Quick Look
President Trump stated the US would hold Iran responsible and inflict major military punishment on both Iran and the Houthis if Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian ships continue, following recent missile and drone strikes on oil tankers.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi oil tankers after instituting a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of plundering Yemen's wealth.
WASHINGTON, July 23. /TASS/. The United States will punish Iran for any further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian ships, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social.
"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at two oil tankers of the kingdom, which violated their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. Fires broke out on the vessels.
On July 20, the Houthis instituted a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of years of "plundering Yemen's national wealth," oil included.
On July 21, the Saudi-led coalition started protecting merchant ships.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
US will inflict military punishment on Iran and Houthis if attacks on Saudi ships continue.
Likely · Short term
Open Questions
- What specific military actions will the US take?
- How will Iran and the Houthis respond to the US threat?
