President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that the United States had communicated a private message to Iran concerning Iran-backed Houthis who were responsible for attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Biden informed reporters at the White House before heading to the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend that “We delivered it privately and we’re confident we’re well-prepared.”
In response, the Houthi movement threatened a “strong and effective response” after the United States carried out a strike in Yemen overnight, escalating tensions as Washington pledges to protect shipping from attacks by the Iran-aligned group.
The most recent strike, which the U.S. indicated hit a radar site, occurred the day after numerous American and British strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen.
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated on Friday that the initial strikes had impacted the Houthis’ ability to store, launch, and guide missiles or drones, which the group has used to threaten shipping.
He added that Washington had no interest in engaging in a war with Yemen.
Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of “foreign terrorist organizations” in 2021, was asked by reporters on Friday whether he felt the term “terrorist” still applied to the movement. “I think they are,” Biden responded.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
