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Houthi Official Says Response to US Strikes on Iran Is “Only a Matter of Time”
A senior Yemeni Houthi official has issued a strong warning that the group’s response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites is inevitable and imminent. The announcement adds to growing fears that the regional conflict between Iran and Israel is quickly widening to include Iran-aligned militant groups across the Middle East.
Houthi Solidarity With Iran
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior member of the Houthis’ political bureau, declared in a televised statement that their movement remains firmly aligned with Iran and will act in retaliation. He emphasized that while the Houthis were previously observing a ceasefire with the United States, that agreement no longer restrains them from taking action in defense of Iran.
Al-Bukhaiti stated, “Our response to the American aggression on Iran is only a matter of time.” He added that the Houthis are prepared to resume missile and drone attacks on strategic assets, potentially including Israeli and American military or commercial interests.
Strategic Timing for Escalation
Though the Houthi leadership did not specify the exact timing or targets, the rhetoric suggests that a calculated strike is being prepared, with the group waiting for the right moment to escalate. This could potentially involve targeting U.S. Navy ships, regional airbases, or merchant vessels passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have a history of disrupting maritime traffic and previously launched attacks on oil tankers and commercial ships during earlier flare-ups in the region.
Maritime Security Threatened
The warning raises alarms over the security of vital global shipping routes that pass near Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Any renewed Houthi aggression could impact international oil shipments, drive up freight costs, and force multinational naval deployments to secure transit corridors.
Given the Houthis’ growing arsenal of Iranian-supplied missiles and drones, even a limited attack could disrupt logistics chains and drag other powers deeper into the conflict.
