The US president also threatened retaliation if Houthi maritime offensives persist in the Red Sea.
"If they do this again, the US 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," Trump stated.
International Calls for Diplomacy
Diplomatic figures expressed severe alarm over the rapid military expansion across vital international trade corridors.
"Diplomacy is the only way forward," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the UN Security Council, warning that the region is being pulled "into an ever-widening circle of confrontation" and calling for mediation efforts to be strengthened.
Diplomatic discussions continue as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Tehran to urge peaceful dialogue.
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He promised that Iraqi territory would not be utilized to stage strikes against Iran.
