(Provides particulars)
By Steve Holland and Nandita Bose
WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden stated on Saturday the USA had delivered a personal message to Iran about Iran-backed Houthis chargeable for attacking business transport 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 transport from assaults by the Iran-aligned group.
The most recent strike, which the U.S. stated hit a radar website, got here a day after dozens of American and British strikes on Houthi services in Yemen.
White Home spokesperson John Kirby stated on Friday the preliminary strikes had hit the Houthis’ potential to retailer, launch and information missiles or drones, which the group has used to threaten transport.
He stated Washington had no real interest in a warfare with Yemen.
Biden, whose administration eliminated the Houthis from a State Division listing 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 believe they’re,” Biden stated. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Modifying by Daniel Wallis)
