U.S. military strikes on Yemen are set to persist until the Houthi rebels no longer have the capability to threaten global shipping and the U.S. Navy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday. Rubio emphasized that there is “no way” the Houthis could engage in attacks on international shipping without Iranian support, underscoring Washington’s position on the matter.

The Houthi movement, led by its political bureau, condemned the airstrikes, calling them a “war crime” and warned that Houthi forces would “meet escalation with escalation.” In retaliation, the U.S. has carried out a series of airstrikes and bombings targeting multiple sites in Yemen, including the capital city, Sanaa, the northwestern governorate of Saada, and Maarib. These attacks have already claimed at least 32 lives, with 101 individuals reported injured, and the toll is expected to rise as more strikes are carried out. The Houthis, however, insist that all those killed in the bombings were civilians.

President Donald Trump has defended the airstrikes, referring to them as a “decisive and powerful operation” aimed at weakening the Houthis. He also directly addressed Iran, urging them to “end support for the Houthis,” warning that they would be held “accountable” for any ongoing assistance to the group. This escalation in hostilities follows recent threats by the Houthis to resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea unless Israel lifts its blockade on the Gaza Strip.

In their response, the Houthis have pledged retaliation, accusing the U.S. of deliberately targeting civilians and overstating the threat posed to international shipping in an attempt to manipulate global opinion. High-ranking Houthi official Mohamed Abdul Salam dismissed the U.S. claims of an imminent threat to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, arguing that Yemen’s naval blockade is limited solely to Israeli ships, implemented in solidarity with Gaza residents until humanitarian aid can reach them.

Furthermore, reports indicate power outages in Yemen following a U.S. airstrike on a power station in Dhahyan, Saada Governorate, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Notably, the Houthis have not launched any naval operations against ships in the Red Sea since a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hamas, well before Trump’s inauguration.

In response to the escalating tensions, Iran’s Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has rejected U.S. claims that Tehran is behind Houthi actions. He stated that the Houthis are an independent force with their own national policy and strategic decisions, calling the U.S. attribution of the attacks to Iran misplaced.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with many concerned about the long-term implications for regional stability and the security of global shipping routes.