The Houthi rebel group Ansarullah warned on Saturday that it would resume naval operations against U.S. vessels in the Red Sea if the United States takes part in a potential military strike on Iran in coordination with Israel. The threat comes despite a previous understanding reached with Washington — brokered by Oman — to halt hostilities in exchange for an end to U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions.
“We will target American ships and warships in the Red Sea if Washington participates in an aggression against Iran,” said the group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, in a statement published by pro-Houthi media. Saree claimed that Ansarullah is closely monitoring military movements in the region and described some of these actions as “hostile,” without elaborating.
He also stated that any Israeli offensive against Iran would aim to “remove Tehran as an obstacle” to what he described as an Israeli plan for regional domination. “We will not allow this plan to proceed,” Saree warned.
The statement came just one day after the United States imposed new economic sanctions targeting entities linked to Ansarullah, in a bid to cut off financial support for the group’s military operations. Tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise amid speculation about a potential U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
In this context, the military news site The Aviationist reported that two squadrons of B-2 strategic bombers departed Friday morning from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, heading to Guam in the Pacific. Although there were no reported movements toward Diego Garcia — a base in the Indian Ocean previously used for operations against Iran — the deployment has been seen as a sign of increased readiness.
It is worth recalling that in May, then-President Donald Trump announced a deal with the Houthis — mediated by Oman — to halt attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in exchange for a cessation of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.
The Red Sea is a strategically vital waterway, with around 10% of global maritime trade passing through it. Any military escalation in the region could have far-reaching economic and security consequences.