Hegseth Warns Iran: ‘You Will Pay’ for Support of Houthis

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran will face consequences for its support of the Houthis. This statement followed a drone incident involving the USS Harry S. Truman and comes amid ongoing U.S. airstrikes against Houthi targets. Trump also reiterated Iran’s role in orchestrating Houthi attacks, vowing severe repercussions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning to Iran over its lethal backing of the Houthi militant group during a statement on Wednesday night. He emphasized that Iran would face significant consequences for its actions, stating, “We see your LETHAL support to the Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing.” Hegseth underscored the capability of the United States military, asserting that Iran had indeed been warned and that they would “pay the CONSEQUENCES at the time and place of our choosing.”

This warning from Hegseth came on the heels of a recent incident where a Houthi drone prompted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to perform an evasive maneuver. This event reportedly led to the tragic loss of an F-18 fighter jet valued at $67 million, which fell into the Red Sea during these maneuvers.

Moreover, the context for Hegseth’s remarks lies within the backdrop of extensive U.S. military actions against Houthi positions, having conducted airstrikes for 47 consecutive days. This sustained military campaign indicates a significant escalation in the U.S. commitment to countering the threats posed by the Houthis.

In a related tweet, Hegseth shared President Donald Trump’s sentiments from a post made back on March 17. Trump cautioned observers against underestimating the Houthi’s actions, labeling them as creations of Iran. “Let nobody be fooled! The hundreds of attacks being made by Houthi, the sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemen, who are hated by the Yemeni people, all emanate from, and are created by, IRAN,” Trump wrote.

Trump did not stop there; he assured that any unexpected attacks or retaliation from the Houthis would encounter a robust response from the U.S. He warned that the consequences for Iran would be dire, stating that such actions would be viewed as direct aggression from the Iranian leadership. “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN,” he said. The warning underscored the gravity of the situation and highlighted the intricate links between Iran and the Houthi forces.

In summary, Secretary Hegseth’s assertive warnings to Iran reflect escalating tensions surrounding U.S.-Iran relations, particularly in connection with the Houthi militant group. The incident involving the USS Harry S. Truman and the ensuing military response indicate a determination from the U.S. to confront these threats. Furthermore, Trump’s remarks reinforce the perception of Iran as a significant instigator in the conflict, with explicit consequences for its actions now being emphasized.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com