An Iranian military leader issued a strong warning on Sunday in response to recent U.S. strikes on Houthis in Yemen. General Hossein Salami emphasized that Iran would deliver a decisive and devastating response to any threats made against it. Salami denied any support for the rebel group, which has been targeting international ships in the Red Sea and off the coast of Yemen.
In a televised speech, Salami asserted Iran’s transparency in its actions: “We are not a nation of secrecy. We are a recognized and lawful entity on the world stage. If we carry out an attack, we will openly declare it.” While not directly stating that Iran had been threatened, Salami made it clear that the country was prepared to respond fiercely to any provocation.
These statements echoed President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of military action against the Houthis. Trump described the group’s actions as acts of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American and allied interests, vowing to use force until their objectives were achieved.
Following the strikes, a U.S. official confirmed that multiple Houthi targets in Yemen had been hit by American air and naval assets. The attacks were described as an initial response and a signal to Iran regarding their support for the Houthis.
Yemeni health officials reported casualties from the campaign, with 31 people killed and 101 injured, including many women and children. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz praised the strikes for targeting key Houthi leaders and emphasized the importance of holding Iran accountable for its support of various militias.
When asked about the possibility of direct military action against Iran, Waltz stated that all options were on the table, emphasizing the need for Iran to understand the consequences of their support for extremist groups. Trump’s administration is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and halting its support for destabilizing organizations.
The text continues, stating that all options are being considered to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. This includes addressing various aspects of Iran’s program, such as missiles, weaponization, and enrichment. Iran is urged to either surrender its nuclear ambitions in a verifiable manner or face consequences. The goal is to ensure that the ayatollahs do not have access to nuclear weapons. This report includes contributions from ABC News’ Luis Martinez, Selina Wang, Kelsey Walsh, Hannah Demissie, and Quinn Scanlan. The article discusses how an Iranian general hinted at a possible response following US strikes on the Houthis.
