WASHINGTON: United States (US) President Joe Biden said on Saturday that Washington has delivered a private message to Iran regarding the Houthi group responsible for recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Biden assured reporters at the White House that the message was delivered privately, and the US was confident in its preparedness. This statement was made before his departure to the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend.
The Houthi movement responded with a threat of a “strong and effective response” after the United States conducted another strike in Yemen, escalating tensions. The US had pledged to safeguard shipping from attacks by the Houthi group. The recent strike, targeting a radar site, followed dozens of US and UK strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen.
US and UK Strikes Against Houthis
White House spokesperson John Kirby clarified that the initial strikes aimed to disrupt the Houthis’ capabilities to store, launch, and guide missiles or drones, which they have previously used to threaten shipping. Kirby said that the United States has no interest in engaging in a war with Yemen.
