Donald Trump says "the US will hold Iran responsible" for Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers

After Houthi fighters attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, President Trump said the United States would consider Iran accountable for any future such strikes, describing the Houthis as a proxy of Tehran. The assaults, which caused a fire on one vessel, occurred as the US military completed its 13th consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian targets, including command centers and maritime facilities. Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel amid fears the conflict could disrupt another major shipping route. Trump also told Axios he was nearing a decision to restart large-scale combat operations in Iran, stating they had not faced sufficient consequences. The Houthis recently declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, prompting some tankers to reroute around Africa.