Key facts
- President Donald Trump stated the U.S. would retaliate against the Houthi militia if they impose a Red Sea blockade.
- The Houthi militia announced a blockade on Saudi Arabia.
- Trump referenced a past U.S. military operation against the Houthis.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Iran's conventional military buildup is similar to North Korea's strategy.
- Hegseth stated the U.S. would strike an Iranian site suspected of housing nuclear operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the United States would take action against the Houthi militia if they proceed with a blockade in the Red Sea, a move that could further disrupt global energy supplies. Trump made these remarks during a press availability at the White House with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
The Houthi militia's announcement of a blockade on Saudi Arabia has heightened concerns about the security of the Red Sea, a critical energy export corridor, especially amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump stated, "If something like that happens, we (will) take care of it," recalling a previous U.S. military operation that he claimed had resolved issues with the Houthis. He suggested that if a blockade were to occur, the U.S. would address it.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke, drawing parallels between Iran's conventional military buildup and North Korea's strategy leading to its nuclear weapons development. Hegseth warned that Iran has been given ample opportunity to negotiate and that the U.S. would respond forcefully, striking an Iranian site suspected of nuclear activities and retaliating "10 times harder" if Iran targets commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.