Trump says if the Houthis keep firing on ships, Iran will pay the price.
President Trump warned that the United States would unleash “major military punishment” against both Iran and the Yemen-based terrorist group following an attack on two Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea.
The president directly blamed Tehran for the Houthis’ actions, describing the group as an Iranian surrogate and proxy.
“A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to previous U.S. military operations.
“Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, [the Houthis] have acted very responsibly. Unfortunately, now they are starting up again,” he continued.
Then came the threat.
“Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves. who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart.”
🚨 NOW: President Trump announces he will be blowing up the Iran-backed HOUTHIS if they harm another ship
FAFO IS WAITING.
"They are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night. Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/8gmmQgjEBZ
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 23, 2026
The warning signals that Washington will not treat renewed Houthi attacks as isolated strikes carried out by an independent armed group. Trump is putting responsibility squarely on Iran, raising the potential cost to Tehran every time its proxy targets commercial or allied shipping.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered the same message in less explosive terms while speaking with reporters during a trip to the Philippines.
Asked about the attack on the two Saudi oil tankers, Rubio said the Houthis had previously made the smarter choice by staying largely outside the current U.S.-Iran conflict.
“I hope that they’ll stop. They shouldn’t really do that. They got suckered into this by the Iranians,” Rubio said. “The Houthis largely were smart and stayed out of all this throughout the conflict.”
“They should stay out of it,” he added. “We’ll see what happens there. Obviously, it’s not a positive development.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
I hope that the Houthis stop. They shouldn't really do that. They got suckered into this by the Iranians. The Houthis largely were smart and stayed out of all this throughout the conflict. They now apparently have gotten themselves suckered into… pic.twitter.com/zjnwkZJ3rX
— Tabz (@TabzLIVE) July 23, 2026
Rubio also said Iran has been pleading “both directly and indirectly” for another agreement to stop the fighting. But he questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to honor one.
“The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it. So, it looks like they’re not ready to make a deal, so they’re going to continue to pay a price,” Rubio said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Iran:
They are calling us every day, begging us for a deal.
Every time these people make a deal, they either break it or want to change it after making the deal.
They are probably not ready to do a deal yet, but they will be soon. pic.twitter.com/SSuEKGuVfs
— Tabz (@TabzLIVE) July 23, 2026
Trump’s message leaves little room for ambiguity. Another Houthi attack will not be treated merely as a provocation from Yemen.
The bill, he warned, will be delivered to Tehran.
