Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they will resume targeting American naval vessels in the Red Sea if the U.S. formally joins Israel’s military campaign against Iran.

Sana’a, Yemen ,The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen issued a stern warning on Saturday, vowing to resume attacks on U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden should the United States escalate its military involvement in the Israel–Iran conflict.

The threat was made in a pre-recorded video broadcast by Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree, who said that “any American aggression or interference in defense of the Zionist enemy will be met with a harsh military response.”

“We warn the American administration: if it intervenes directly in the war against Iran or supports the Israeli regime, we will target all American warships and interests in the Red Sea and beyond,” Saree declared.

Strategic Threat to Shipping Routes

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait a narrow chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa is a critical artery for global oil and commercial shipping. A renewed Houthi campaign against U.S. or allied naval assets could disrupt maritime security and global trade.

Earlier this year, the Houthis launched several drone and missile attacks on commercial tankers and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea, drawing international condemnation and a series of retaliatory strikes by American forces.

Though those attacks slowed following a regional ceasefire initiative in March 2025, Saturday’s statement signals a potential return to maritime conflict should the U.S. deepen its involvement in the escalating Israel–Iran war.

Regional Implications and Military Posture

The U.S. Department of Defense has not officially responded to the latest Houthi threat. However, military analysts warn that a multi-front conflict involving the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and Israel could stretch American naval forces thin.

“If the Houthis follow through, this would mean the U.S. Navy is now engaged on at least two major maritime fronts,” said Commander Alex Trenton, a former Pentagon naval strategist. “It would complicate logistics, resupply, and overall readiness.”

In response to rising tensions, the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group was reported repositioned to the Arabian Sea late Saturday evening. Intelligence sources suggest additional naval deployments may follow if threats in the Red Sea intensify.

Houthi–Iran–Hezbollah Axis

The Houthis have long received logistical and military support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), forming a strategic alliance alongside Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias. This coalition, sometimes referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” sees U.S. and Israeli actions in the region as joint targets.

“This is no longer just about Yemen or Gaza or Lebanon. The lines are being drawn for a broader regional confrontation,” said Lina Mansour, a regional security analyst.

Background

• The Houthis previously struck the USS Mason and other U.S. naval vessels in 2023–2024 during a flare-up over Gaza.

• A temporary truce in early 2025 had reduced attacks in the Red Sea, though tensions never fully disappeared.

• The U.S. Navy’s presence in the region includes guided missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and drone surveillance missions.