US fighter jets launch airstrikes as Trump warns Iran, vowing to restore global shipping security
Washington DC, March 16 – US President Donald Trump has ordered “decisive and powerful” military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, launching a series of airstrikes in response to what he calls an “unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism” against American and international vessels.
“The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we achieve our objective,” Trump declared in a statement on his Truth Social platform.
US fighter jets took off from an aircraft carrier on Saturday, marking the first large-scale military action under Trump’s presidency. The strikes come as part of a broader effort to dismantle Houthi strongholds, leadership, and missile defenses, with the goal of restoring navigational freedom in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Gulf of Aden.
Trump Blames Houthis for Global Economic Disruptions
Trump accused the Iran-backed Houthis of crippling global trade, claiming their actions have brought “vast swaths of global commerce to a halt” by disrupting vital shipping routes.
🔹 “The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important waterways of the world, attacking the core principle of freedom of navigation,” he stated.
🔹 Trump emphasized that commercial and military vessels have been under constant attack, with a US warship targeted more than a dozen times in the past four months.
“No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world,” Trump warned.
Trump Calls Biden’s Response “Pathetically Weak”
🔹 Trump slammed former President Joe Biden, claiming his administration’s “weak response” emboldened the Houthis, allowing them to continue their aggression against US military and commercial ships.
🔹 He estimated that Houthi attacks have cost the US and global economy “billions of dollars” and put innocent lives at risk.
“It has been over a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely sailed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, or the Gulf of Aden,” Trump pointed out.
Direct Warning to Iran: “Support for Houthis Must End Immediately”
Beyond military action, Trump issued a direct warning to Iran, demanding that it immediately halt its support for the Houthis, or face severe consequences.
“To Iran: Support for the Houthi terrorists must end IMMEDIATELY! Do NOT threaten the American people, their President, or worldwide shipping lanes.”
“If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable—and we won’t be nice about it!” he cautioned.
Global Tensions Rise as US Expands Military Operations
As US military forces intensify strikes, global leaders are closely watching how Iran and the Houthis will respond. The escalation raises concerns about broader regional instability, particularly with Iran’s continued involvement in proxy conflicts.
Trump’s aggressive stance signals a shift in US foreign policy, as Washington moves to reassert dominance in the Middle East and secure global trade routes.
The world now waits to see how the crisis unfolds—will this be a short-lived offensive, or the beginning of a prolonged military engagement?