Iran Denies Involvement with Yemen’s Houthi Rebels
3 min read
Iran has strongly denied providing military support to Yemen’s Houthi rebels after the United States launched a series of airstrikes against the group. The strikes come as former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, holding Tehran “fully accountable” for the Houthis’ actions.
U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen: Iran’s Alleged Role and Casualties
The Houthi-controlled Health Ministry reported that at least 31 people, including women and children, were killed, and over 100 others were injured in the recent U.S. airstrikes. The rebel-run Al-Masirah TV broadcasted harrowing images of casualties, claiming one attack targeted two homes in Yemen’s northern Saada province, killing four children and a woman.
Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping and Iran’s Alleged Involvement
The Houthis have been actively targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, using missiles and drones against Israeli-linked vessels. The group has justified these attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in a prolonged war with Hamas, another Iran-backed militant group.
While a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire took hold in January, the Houthis warned they would resume attacks after Israel restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. Their maritime campaign, which started in October 2023, has resulted in the targeting of over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors.
Denial, U.S. Accusations, and Regional Tensions
Despite accusations from the U.S., Israel, and the U.K., Iran maintains that it does not provide military assistance to the Houthis. Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader Gen. Hossein Salami reiterated that Tehran “plays no role in setting the national or operational policies” of its allied groups in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), urged the U.S. to halt the airstrikes, emphasizing that Washington cannot dictate Iran’s foreign policy.
This image taken from video provided by the U.S. Navy shows an aircraft launching from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea before airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (U.S. Navy)
The U.S. Navy has previously intercepted Iranian-made missile parts and weapons allegedly destined for the Houthis, reinforcing longstanding suspicions of Iranian military involvement. However, Tehran continues to reject these claims, portraying the Houthis as an independent force acting on its own agenda.
Trump’s Warning to Iran and U.S. Military Strategy
On Saturday, Donald Trump vowed to respond with “overwhelming lethal force” if the Houthis persist in attacking ships along the critical maritime corridor of the Red Sea. The recent U.S. airstrikes mark the first American-led military action against the Houthis under Trump’s second administration.
While previous operations involved Israel and Britain, the latest strikes were conducted solely by the U.S., signaling a potential escalation in American military intervention in the region.
The Future of the Red Sea Conflict
With tensions between Iran, the U.S., and its allies at a boiling point, the Red Sea remains a crucial battleground in the broader Middle East conflict. The Biden administration’s approach to Yemen saw a reduction in direct strikes, but Trump’s return to office has ushered in a more aggressive military stance.
As global shipping faces continued threats, and Israel’s blockade on Gaza triggers renewed hostilities, the question remains: Will U.S. military action deter future Houthi aggression, or will it ignite an even larger regional conflict?
Stay updated on Iran news.
About The Author
