U.S. Considers Targeting Iranian Assets in Yemen Amid Escalating Tensions

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated on Sunday that the United States could strike Iranian targets in Yemen as part of its ongoing military campaign against the Houthi rebels.

This announcement follows U.S. airstrikes in Yemen on Saturday, which reportedly killed at least 31 people, according to Houthi-affiliated media outlets. Waltz claimed the strikes successfully targeted and eliminated multiple Houthi leaders.

Why It Matters:
The U.S. is signaling a broader strategy that goes beyond targeting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Waltz emphasized that Washington is also willing to strike assets directly linked to Iran, including Iranian ships near the Yemeni coast that assist the Houthis in intelligence gathering, Iranian military trainers, and other resources Tehran has provided to support Houthi attacks on global economic interests.

The Big Picture:
The escalation in Yemen comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Last week, President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations on a new nuclear deal. U.S. officials have indicated that any agreement must include restrictions on Iran’s support for regional militant groups, such as the Houthis. However, Khamenei dismissed Trump’s overture as "deception" and reaffirmed Iran’s refusal to accept limitations on its regional alliances. Iran also condemned the U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

Trump has warned that if Iran refuses to negotiate, the U.S. will explore "other options" to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Waltz echoed this sentiment during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, stating that all options remain on the table to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon. He insisted that Iran must "hand over and give up" all aspects of its nuclear program, including missile development, weaponization, and uranium enrichment, or face severe consequences.