US Military Action Against Iran Looms as Airstrikes Target Houthis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated on Sunday that “all options are always on the table” regarding potential direct military action against Iran. His remarks follow recent U.S. airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, aimed at countering Iran-backed aggression, particularly after Houthi attacks on shipping vessels amidst escalating tensions in the Gaza war.

Waltz’s comments were made during an interview on ABC News‘ “This Week” where he emphasized the urgency for Iran to understand the gravity of U.S. commitment to countering their support for militant groups. “It is completely unacceptable, and it will be stopped, the level of support that they’ve been providing the Houthis, just like they have Hezbollah and Hamas,” Waltz said.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump confirmed the airstrikes on Truth Social, stating that Houthi attacks on American vessels would “not be tolerated” and vowing to use “overwhelming lethal force” to address the threat. He further warned Iran that its support for the Houthis must cease immediately.

These airstrikes represent a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region and come as the Trump administration seeks to influence ongoing tensions in Ukraine through diplomacy. Waltz noted the complexity of regaining all Ukrainian territory lost to Russia, questioning whether complete removal of Russian forces is feasible.

“We can talk about what’s right and wrong, and we also have to talk about the reality of the situation on the ground,” he added, expressing skepticism about achieving full territorial recovery for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, described a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “positive” and indicated that Trump and Putin might speak again soon regarding the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

The airstrikes on Houthis follow an uptick in their missile and drone attacks against over 100 merchant vessels from November 2023 to January 2024, resulting in significant disruptions of trade routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Trump characterized the Houthi strikes as part of a “campaign of piracy, violence and terrorism.”

“We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective,” Trump stated, highlighting the operational importance of these waters for global energy and cargo shipments.

U.S. military officials noted that while the Biden administration took a more cautious approach with airstrikes, focusing on minimizing civilian casualties, the Trump administration appears willing to expand their targets in this renewed campaign against the Houthis.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated this stance during a recent CBS News appearance, stating, “We’re doing the entire world a favor by getting rid of these guys and their ability to strike global shipping.”

As Israel also continues its own airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in response to missile threats against them, the conflict seems poised to escalate further. The Houthis have vowed to continue attacking “Israeli” ships as retaliation for Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza.

“The scope and scale of this new campaign, including targeting senior Houthi figures, marks a significant escalation in the conflict,” said analysts at the Eurasia Group, highlighting the potential repercussions for Gulf nations which now face threats to their key oil infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Iran has historically provided support to the Houthis, and despite U.S. indications to escalate military action, Tehran has downplayed its influence, asserting that the Houthis operate independently. Iranian Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami stated that the Houthis made their own decisions without further implications for Iranian involvement.

As the geopolitical landscape shifts, both sides reflect on the costs of conflict; Waltz hinted at the potential for expanding targets, such as Iranian military officials, should support for the Houthis continue.

On the diplomatic front, Trump is navigating negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, with Iranian officials indicating they are still reviewing Trump’s correspondence before responding.

The situation remains fluid as both military action and diplomatic channels evolve amid renewed conflict in the region.