CAIRO — Following recent U.S. airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and a warning from President Donald Trump holding Tehran “fully accountable” for their actions, Iran has once again denied providing support to the group.
According to the Houthi-controlled Health Ministry, the U.S. strikes resulted in at least 31 fatalities, including women and children, and left over 100 people injured. The rebels reported that one strike struck two residences in Saada province, resulting in the deaths of four children and one woman. Al-Masirah TV, which is run by the rebels, broadcast images purportedly showing the victims.
The Houthis have repeatedly attacked international shipping in the Red Sea and launched missiles and drones at Israel, claiming these actions were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is engaged in conflict with Hamas, another Iranian ally.
These attacks ceased with the implementation of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in January. However, the Houthis threatened to resume attacks after Israel recently suspended humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The U.S. and other nations have long accused Iran of providing military assistance to the Houthis. The U.S. Navy has intercepted Iranian-made missile components and other weapons allegedly destined for the militant group, which controls Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and the northern part of the country.
Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, refuted claims of Iranian involvement in the Houthi attacks. According to state-run TV, he stated that Iran “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of allied militant groups across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, via a post on X, urged the U.S. to stop the strikes, asserting that Washington cannot dictate Iran’s foreign policy.
On Saturday, Trump pledged to employ “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping within the crucial maritime corridor.
The airstrikes occurred shortly after the Houthis announced their intention to renew attacks on Israeli vessels off the coast of Yemen in response to Israel’s latest blockade of Gaza. No Houthi attacks have been reported since that announcement.
During their campaign targeting both military and civilian ships between the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023 and the January ceasefire in Gaza, the Houthis reportedly targeted over 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones, resulting in the sinking of two ships and the deaths of four sailors.
While the United States, Israel, and Britain have previously targeted Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, Saturday’s operation was conducted solely by the U.S. and marked the first strike against the Houthis under Trump’s second term.
—Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
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