US President Donald Trump said he had ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, vowing to use "enormous lethal force" until Iran-backed Houthi rebels stop attacking ships along a vital maritime corridor.
He said in a social media post that America's "brave warfighters are now conducting airstrikes on terrorist bases, leaders and missile defenses" to defend American ships and aircraft, traveling in major waterways, to restore freedom of navigation.
Trump added that "no terrorist force" will stop American commercial and military ships from freely navigating the world's sea lanes.
He also warned Iran to stop supporting the rebel group and vowed that the country would be fully responsible for acting through the Houthis.
This was said two weeks after Trump sent a letter to Iranian leaders offering a path to resuming bilateral talks on Iran's nuclear program, which he had previously said he would not allow to become operational.
The Houthis reported a series of explosions in their territory tonight.
The airstrikes come days after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli ships sailing in Yemeni waters in response to Israel's blockade of Gaza, but no Houthi attacks have been reported since.
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