Former President Donald Trump has warned Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that the United States would "take care of things" if they proceed with threats to impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The statement comes as the U.S. administration reportedly backed Saudi Arabia's renewed military campaign against the group.
Houthi forces announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, days after Saudi forces conducted strikes on Sanaa International Airport. According to reports, Iran had instructed the Houthi group to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the U.S. initiated attacks on Iranian power infrastructure.
"So far, it hasn't happened, might happen, but we take care of things," Trump said on Tuesday. "If something like that happens, we take care of it."
The Saudi strikes on Sanaa International Airport followed the diversion of an Iranian Mahan Air flight. U.S. officials indicated the aircraft was believed to be transporting weapons, missile components, and Iranian military personnel intended for the Houthis.
These developments coincide with the Trump administration's expansion of military operations against Iran, while the Houthis have concurrently threatened to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea. These combined actions have raised concerns about potential U.S. involvement in securing vital maritime trade routes, alongside existing confrontations with Tehran in the Persian Gulf.
The potential for simultaneous disruption at the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a significant concern for global shipping markets. These waterways collectively carry approximately one-third of the world's seaborne oil trade and are crucial arteries for energy shipments between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Houthis have previously demonstrated their capacity to disrupt shipping, carrying out over 190 attacks on commercial vessels since late 2023. These actions have compelled major carriers to reroute voyages around Africa, opting for the longer journey instead of transiting the Red Sea.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly sought and received Trump's approval before initiating the recent strikes against the Houthis. The White House and the Pentagon have declined to comment on the matter.
For years, the Houthis have served as a key regional partner for Iran, enabling Tehran to exert pressure on global commerce without direct military engagement with the U.S. or its allies. The group has frequently launched missiles and drones targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, leading to significant disruptions in international shipping.
While direct conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis largely subsided after a 2022 U.N.-brokered truce, the group has continued to enhance its missile, drone, and maritime capabilities with Iranian support. The recent exchange of Saudi airstrikes and Houthi missile attacks represents the most substantial cross-border escalation between the two sides in approximately four years.
Analysts suggest the latest escalation stems from Saudi concerns that Iran and the Houthis are attempting to establish a new status quo by creating a direct air link between Tehran and Houthi-controlled Sanaa. Such a connection could facilitate the transfer of weapons, drones, and Iranian military advisors into Yemen, posing a threat to Saudi Arabia and broader U.S. and international security interests.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical maritime choke point through which nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passes annually, essential for commercial shipping and energy supplies moving between Asia and Europe.
The Houthis' strategic location makes them a vital component of Iran's regional network, providing a means for Iran to expand its influence. However, analysts caution that Iran's command and control over the Houthis may be less direct compared to some of its other proxy organizations.
Reports suggest that Trump's endorsement of the Saudi operation and his warning to the Houthis indicate an administration prepared to support regional allies in confronting Iranian-backed groups that threaten maritime commerce. This stance aims to limit Iran's projection of power in the region. The airport strike, in particular, reinforces Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to prevent Iran from establishing a direct supply corridor to Houthi-controlled Yemen.