President Trump vows to hold Iran accountable for Houthi attacks on Red Sea oil tankers following Iranian military support.

President Trump stated that the United States will hold Iran responsible for the Houthi proxy attacks in the Red Sea, warning that major military punishment will be inflicted on both Iran and the Houthi group. The administration announced that Iran recently deployed senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, military advisers, and missile and drone equipment to Yemen to bolster Houthi operations. These reinforcements arrived via a Mahan Air flight on July 13, which also transported gold to fund Houthi activities. Following this deployment, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and launched strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, the ENCELIA and LAYLA. The attacks caused Brent crude oil prices to surge past $100 a barrel for the first time since May. While the Houthis claim the flight was a simple return of a delegation, U.S. and Saudi intelligence suggest the move is a strategic effort by Iran to expand its regional influence and pressure the global economy.

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