By Steve Holland and Nandita Bose
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden mentioned on Saturday the USA had delivered a personal message to Iran about Iran-backed Houthis chargeable for attacking business delivery within the Pink Sea.
“We delivered it privately and we’re assured we’re well-prepared,” Biden instructed reporters on the White Home earlier than departing to the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend.
The Houthi motion threatened a “sturdy and efficient response” after the USA carried out one other strike in Yemen in a single day, additional ratcheting up tensions as Washington vows to guard delivery from assaults by the Iran-aligned group.
The newest strike, which the U.S. mentioned hit a radar web site, got here a day after dozens of American and British strikes on Houthi amenities in Yemen.
White Home spokesperson John Kirby mentioned on Friday the preliminary strikes had hit the Houthis’ skill to retailer, launch and information missiles or drones, which the group has used to threaten delivery.
He mentioned Washington had little interest in a battle with Yemen.
Biden, whose administration eliminated the Houthis from a State Division checklist of “international terrorist organizations” in 2021, was requested by reporters on Friday whether or not he felt the time period “terrorist” described the motion now. “I feel they’re,” Biden mentioned.
(Reporting by Steve Holland; Enhancing by Daniel Wallis)
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