WASHINGTON: National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday that the U.S. may target Iranian assets in Yemen as part of its ongoing military campaign against the Houthis. This follows President Trump’s order for airstrikes across Yemen on Saturday, which reportedly killed at least 31 people, according to media affiliated with the Houthis. Waltz stated that the strikes “took out multiple Houthi leaders.”
The U.S. has made it clear that it is prepared to go beyond targeting the Iran-backed Houthis, signaling that it could target Iranian assets more directly involved in supporting the group. Waltz mentioned that potential targets “on the table” could include Iranian ships off the Yemeni coast, which are suspected of helping the Houthis with intelligence gathering, as well as Iranian military trainers and other resources aiding the Houthis in their attacks on the global economy.
Last week, President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, proposing negotiations for a new nuclear deal. U.S. officials have indicated that Trump wants any new agreement to address not just Iran’s nuclear program, but also its support for regional terror groups and militias, including the Houthis.
Khamenei dismissed Trump’s outreach as “deception,” asserting that Iran will not agree to any limitations on its relations with regional groups. Tehran also condemned the U.S. strikes in Yemen.
Trump has emphasized that if Iran does not agree to a new deal, the U.S. will explore “other options” to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Waltz reiterated that all options are available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He stressed that Iran must “hand over and give up” all aspects of its nuclear program, including missiles, weaponization, and uranium enrichment, or face a range of consequences. He added that Iran has been presented with a path to resolve the issue diplomatically.
Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term, which had imposed restrictions and inspections on Iran’s nuclear program.
Waltz noted that the U.S. airstrikes in Yemen were also a message to Iran. “We will hold not only the Houthis accountable but also their Iranian backers,” he stated.
