Houthis daring respond to Trump's threat, "we will not hesitate to take greater action"

On Monday, March 17, 2025, Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi declared, “The naval blockade on Israel is only the first step. If famine in Gaza worsens, we won’t sit idly by with our current stance. Should the situation demand it, we’ll take bolder measures without hesitation.” The statement came hours after Trump vowed to treat every Houthi attack as an Iranian strike, promising severe repercussions for both the rebels and their Tehran backers.

Al-Houthi’s threats follow a Pentagon spokesperson’s remarks that the U.S. is actively countering the Houthis—Iran’s regional proxy—to secure Red Sea shipping lanes and restore stability. The spokesperson clarified that the goal isn’t regime change or a prolonged Middle East quagmire, but rather a clear Houthi pledge to halt attacks on maritime traffic. “We’ll stop when they stop,” he said, emphasizing a targeted approach to neutralize the threat without broader entanglement.

Trump, in a fiery Truth Social post, doubled down on his stance, framing the Houthis as puppets of Iran. “Let’s be clear—the hundreds of attacks by these Yemeni thugs stem directly from Iran,” he wrote. “They’re armed, funded, and directed by Tehran, down to the weapons and so-called ‘intelligence.’ From now on, every Houthi shot is an Iranian shot, and Iran will face dire consequences.” He dismissed Iran’s claims of losing control over the group, accusing them of orchestrating every move.

The Houthis’ naval blockade, tied to their demand for Israel to ease Gaza’s plight, has already disrupted trade routes. With Trump tying their actions to Iran and al-Houthi hinting at escalation, the Red Sea standoff risks spiraling further, testing U.S. resolve and Israel’s security in a volatile showdown.