Iran Rejects Allegations of Support for Houthis Amid U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen
Iran denied aiding the Houthis after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, ordered by Trump due to Houthi attacks on shipping. Casualties from airstrikes included at least 31 deaths, according to Houthi reports. The region remains volatile as the U.S. holds Iran accountable for its actions in support of the Houthis.
Iran has emphatically denied allegations of supporting Yemen’s Houthi rebels following a recent series of U.S. airstrikes ordered by President Donald Trump. The airstrikes targeted Houthi positions in the capital, Sanaa, in response to the rebels’ ongoing attacks on international shipping routes. Trump threatened to utilize “overwhelming lethal force” until the Houthis cease their aggressive actions against shipping along this critical maritime corridor.
Yemen’s Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that these strikes resulted in at least 31 fatalities, including women and children, and left more than 100 individuals injured. The attacks reportedly targeted residential areas in northern Saada province, leading to civilian casualties. Houthi media outlets displayed images purportedly showing fatalities as a result of the strikes, escalating tensions in the region.
The Houthis have previously engaged in actions against international shipping, and their missile and drone attacks toward Israel have been framed as acts of solidarity with Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. Despite a brief ceasefire in January, the rebels threatened to resume hostilities after the recent Israeli blockade on Gaza.
The United States has consistently accused Iran of providing military support to the Houthis, having seized Iranian-made weaponry intended for the group in the past. Iranian military officials, including General Hossein Salami, have stated that Iran does not influence the operational decisions of its allied militias in the region. Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. airstrikes and urged an end to such military actions, asserting that Iran’s foreign policy is not subject to coercion by the U.S.
This wave of airstrikes is significant as it marks the first military action against the Houthis during President Trump’s second term. Previously, operations targeting Houthi territories involved the U.S., Israel, and the UK, but this specific action has been solely conducted by the United States. The ongoing conflict and the U.S. response signal the escalating tensions surrounding regional security and maritime safety.
In summary, Iran has denied involvement with Yemen’s Houthi rebels amidst U.S.-led airstrikes in Sanaa, which responded to continuous Houthi attacks on maritime shipping. Recent casualties reported by the Houthi-run Health Ministry highlight the humanitarian impact of these actions. As tensions rise, the U.S. stands firm on addressing threats from the Houthis, with repercussions anticipated for Iran’s support of the group. This incident underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
