Iran’s top general threatens “devastating” retaliation as President Trump orders unrelenting strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Trump didn’t want this to become war, but the Houthis have made it impossible not to respond – and now they’re effectively declaring war against us.
At a glance:
• Iranian General Hossein Salami has warned of “decisive and devastating” responses to U.S. military actions against Houthi rebels in Yemen
• President Trump ordered precision strikes against multiple Houthi targets, including missiles, radars, and drone defense systems
• U.S. officials confirmed successful targeting of several Houthi leaders in the operation
• Yemeni health officials reported 53 deaths and 98 injuries from the American military campaign
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared strikes will be “unrelenting” until Houthis cease attacks on U.S. assets
Trump Takes Strong Action Against Houthi Threats
President Donald Trump’s decisive military response against Iran-backed Houthi rebels marks a significant departure from previous administrations’ approaches to Middle East threats – and it’s caused so much panic in Iran that the nation’s leaders are warning the United States of possible military conflict. Trump’s precision strikes targeted multiple Houthi leaders, missiles, radars, and defense systems in a comprehensive campaign to protect American interests and international shipping lanes.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the strategic significance of the operation compared to previous limited actions, not that it there was an “overwhelming response that actually targeted multiple Houthi leaders and took them out,” adding that the key difference was “going after the Houthi leadership, and two, holding Iran responsible.”
The President made it abundantly clear that American patience had run out with the Iran-backed group’s repeated attacks on commercial and military vessels in critical shipping lanes.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the administration’s firm stance, declaring the campaign would continue without hesitation. “The minute the Houthis say ‘we’ll stop shooting at your ships, we’ll stop shooting at your drones,’ this campaign will end, but until then, it will be unrelenting,” Hegseth stated.
Iran Threatens Retaliation While Denying Houthi Support
In a direct response to American military operations, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander General Hossein Salami issued ominous warnings about potential retaliation. The senior military figure threatened “decisive and destructive” responses against any further actions against Iran, raising fears about wider regional conflict.
“We are not a nation to live in hiding,” Salami declared, in comments widely reported across international media outlets. “We are a valid and legitimate system in the world. We announce it if we attack anywhere.”
Despite overwhelming evidence and intelligence assessments linking Iran to the Houthis, Salami notably denied Iranian support for the rebel group. This denial contradicts years of documented weapons transfers, training, and financial backing that has enabled the Houthis to conduct sophisticated drone and missile attacks far beyond Yemen’s borders.
The General’s comments reveal Iran’s strategic position of maintaining plausible deniability while continuing to support proxy forces throughout the Middle East. His warning that “Iran will respond decisively and destructively if they carry out their threats” indicates the regime’s willingness to escalate tensions when pressured.
The U.S. military campaign has yielded significant results in degrading Houthi capabilities while triggering humanitarian concerns about civilian casualties. Yemeni health officials reported 53 deaths and 98 injuries resulting from the strikes, including women and children, numbers that could further inflame anti-American sentiment in the region.
American warships have successfully intercepted and shot down multiple Houthi drones targeting the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. These defensive measures demonstrate the need for continued U.S. military presence in the region to protect vital shipping lanes that impact global commerce and energy supplies.
