On Sunday, an Iranian general issued a cautionary statement regarding the possibility of a forceful and severe retaliation to any perceived threat, following U.S. strikes on Houthis in Yemen the previous day. Gen. Hossein Salami denied Iran’s support for the rebel group, which has been involved in attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea and near Yemen. In a televised speech, Salami emphasized Iran’s transparency in its actions, stating, “We are not a nation that operates covertly. We are a recognized and lawful entity globally. We will openly declare our actions if we engage in any attack.” Although not directly mentioning any specific threat against Iran, the general emphasized the country’s readiness to deliver a firm and drastic response to any aggression aimed at it.
This stance by Salami mirrors the sentiments expressed by President Donald Trump, who had ordered a forceful strike against the Houthis in Yemen. The U.S. military conducted strikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen, including missiles, radars, and air defense systems, in what was described as an initial move against the group, as well as a message to Iran.
Following the U.S. military action, the Houthis claimed to have retaliated by targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier with a combination of missiles and a drone. However, U.S. officials disputed this claim. The Houthis threatened further attacks against American warships in response to perceived aggression.
Yemeni health officials reported casualties from the U.S. military campaign, with 31 individuals killed and 101 injured, including many women and children. National security adviser Mike Waltz characterized the U.S. strikes as successful in eliminating several Houthi leaders, distinguishing them from previous actions under the Biden administration. Waltz highlighted the importance of targeting Houthi leadership and holding Iran accountable for its support of the group.
When asked about the possibility of direct U.S. military action against Iran, Waltz stated that all options are always considered by the president, emphasizing the need for Iran to understand this clearly. He condemned Iranian support for various groups like the Houthis, militias in Iraq, Hamas, and Hezbollah, deeming it completely unacceptable and declaring that it will be stopped. Waltz reiterated Trump’s stance that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, emphasizing that all aspects of Iran’s nuclear program, including missiles, weaponization, and enrichment, must be addressed. He highlighted that Iran can either relinquish its nuclear ambitions in a verifiable manner or face severe consequences. Waltz underscored the importance of preventing the ayatollahs from having control over nuclear weapons. The report was contributed to by ABC News’ Luis Martinez, Selina Wang, Kelsey Walsh, Hannah Demissie, Quinn Scanlan, and Ahmed Baider. The article titled “Iranian general raises prospect of response amid US strikes on Houthis” was initially published on abcnews.go.com.
