Trump warns of large military response against Iran and Houthis after Saudi tanker attacks

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said a large military response would be mounted against Iran and Yemen-based Houthis if attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continue, following a Houthi strike on two Saudi oil tankers using missiles and drones. In remarks reported on Wednesday, Trump said the United States would hold Iran responsible for the attacks and would treat the Houthis as an Iranian proxy if they strike again. He added that the group had fired on the two Saudi tankers the previous night. The Houthis said on Tuesday they had targeted the two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea with missiles and drones as part of what they described as a maritime blockade of vessels linked to Saudi ports. The group framed the attack as a resumption of operations against shipping connected to Saudi Arabia's ports. The Red Sea has been a corridor for attacks on commercial vessels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023, with the Houthis carrying out dozens of strikes against shipping they link to Israel and its Western backers. No further details on the timing or scope of a potential U.S. military response were immediately available.