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Trump warns of retaliation if Houthis blockade Red Sea, hints at Iran strike
🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Trump warns of retaliation if Houthis blockade Red Sea, hints at Iran strike

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would retaliate if Yemen's Houthi rebels blockade the Red Sea, stating "we will handle it."
  • Trump also indicated a potential strike on Iran's "Pickaxe mountain," believed to house nuclear centrifuges, though he noted its significance depends on the presence of nuclear material.
  • The president expressed disinterest in direct talks with Iran until they are prepared to meet meaningfully, suggesting behind-the-scenes communication is occurring due to Iran's "crushing defeat."

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning that the United States would retaliate if Yemen's Houthi rebels proceed with their threat to blockade the Red Sea. "If that kind of thing happens, we will have to handle it," Trump told reporters at the White House.

If that kind of thing happens, we will have to handle it.

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump's response to a reporter's question about the Houthi threat to blockade the Red Sea.

Trump recalled previous U.S. actions against the Houthis, stating, "We took action against the Houthis before. We took very strong action for 45 days, and there were no problems with the Houthis for a long time, including during this war." The Houthi rebels recently declared their intention to impose a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Saudi oil exports that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Trump announced that the U.S. might soon strike "Pickaxe mountain," an area reportedly containing Iran's last nuclear facility and a large number of nuclear centrifuges. However, he qualified this by saying, "It has no meaning if there is no nuclear material." He added, "We will probably strike that area very soon."

We took action against the Houthis before. We took very strong action for 45 days, and there were no problems with the Houthis for a long time, including during this war.

— Donald TrumpTrump referenced past U.S. military actions against the Houthis.

Regarding Iran, Trump expressed a lack of immediate interest in direct dialogue. Responding to a question about the ongoing conflict with Iran, he stated, "Talks are happening behind the scenes, and they desperately want to meet us to end this because they have suffered a crushing defeat." He reiterated, "Until they are ready to meet in a meaningful way, we are not interested."

It has no meaning if there is no nuclear material.

— Donald TrumpTrump commented on the significance of 'Pickaxe mountain,' an alleged Iranian nuclear site.

Trump concluded by asserting Iran's inability to respond effectively to potential U.S. actions, stating, "There is nothing Iran can do. Normally, if I thought they could respond to something, I would never have said it." He emphasized the U.S. would strike the area "very strongly, very soon."

Talks are happening behind the scenes, and they desperately want to meet us to end this because they have suffered a crushing defeat.

— Donald TrumpThe president suggested Iran is seeking dialogue due to perceived weakness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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