Trump Accuses Houthis of Being Iran's Proxy, Threatens Massive Retaliation

United States President Donald Trump has accused Iran of being responsible for Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. Trump stated that the US would hold Iran accountable for the assault. Speaking to AFP on Thursday, Trump described the Houthis as a replacement or proxy for Iran. He noted that Washington had attacked the Houthis about a year ago and claimed the group was now acting out again. “Unfortunately, now they’ve started acting up again, firing on two Saudi ships last night,” Trump said. Trump then threatened the Houthis against further attacks, warning of massive retaliation against both the Houthis and Iran. “If they do this again, the US will hold Iran accountable, given that the Houthis are a Proxy and/or Henchman of Iran, and massive military punishment will be meted out to Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves,” he explained. The Iran-backed Houthis had earlier stated that their forces attacked two Saudi tankers, identified as the ENCELIA and the LAYLA. According to the Houthis, the tankers violated a naval blockade they had imposed on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The group claimed its forces targeted the tankers with a number of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones. The Houthis announced the naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday, warning vessels not to enter or unload at Saudi ports or they would become targets. The Houthi move opens a potential new front as conflict between the US and Iran flares up again, while heightening threats to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf region. In response, the Saudi Press Agency, citing an official source from the Public Transport Authority, reported that a ship owned by a Saudi company was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea and caught fire. SPA added that all crew members were confirmed safe, though it did not explicitly identify the source or perpetrator of the attack.