In a bold escalation, Yemen’s Houthi militias have officially declared their full alignment with Iran, vowing to target U.S. naval vessels in the Red Sea in response to recent American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The announcement came in a statement issued by the unrecognized Houthi government in Sana’a, which described the U.S. strikes as “aggression in support of Israel” and warned that the group would “respond with all available means” to any further attacks on Iran.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group is actively monitoring regional movements and is prepared to take “legitimate defensive measures,” including the resumption of maritime attacks on U.S. warships and commercial vessels. The group had previously paused such operations following a U.S. ceasefire agreement brokered by Oman in May.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi also reiterated the group’s commitment to Iran, declaring that they would stand by Tehran “with everything we can,” and warning of a regional confrontation if hostilities continue.

Analysts say the statement signals a renewed threat to maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, potentially disrupting global trade routes and drawing the Houthis deeper into Iran’s confrontation with the West.