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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accused Iran of orchestrating Houthi attacks against Israel and warned that Israel would escalate its military response, including further strikes on the group’s leadership and infrastructure.
“Iran stands behind them, providing support, guidance and approval,” Netanyahu said.
“The Houthis will pay a very heavy price, and we will defend ourselves through all necessary means to protect Israel's security.”
Earlier on Friday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Houthi-controlled ports of Hodeidah and Salif in Yemen. The Israeli military reported that 15 fighter jets dropped over 30 munitions on these ports, which it said were to be used for transferring weapons.
Netanyahu confirmed the strikes saying, “Our pilots have now successfully struck two Houthi terrorist ports again, and this is just the continuation, with more to come.”
“We are not willing to sit aside and let the Houthis harm us. We will strike them much harder, including their leadership and all infrastructure that enables them to attack us.”
The Houthis have continued firing missiles at Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza, though they have stopped targeting US ships.
In response, Israel has launched retaliatory strikes, including a May 6 attack on Sanaa airport in Yemen that killed several people.
Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has called on Washington to support a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran does not agree to dismantle its program.
“Iran needs to feel maximum pressure to totally dismantle its nuclear program,” Haley wrote on X.
“That includes: Unprecedented sanctions, including on China for buying Iranian oil, which is keeping Iran’s economy afloat. Rallying our regional allies and partners to present a united front against Iranian aggression. Third and most important, making it clear that the US will support a military strike against Iran’s nuclear program if Iran doesn’t agree to end it.”
UK Foreign Office political director Christian Turner said on Friday that political directors from the UK, France, and Germany agreed with Iranian officials to hold further discussions after their meeting in Istanbul.
“We shared our commitment to dialogue, welcomed ongoing US/Iran talks, and given urgency, agreed to meet again,” Turner wrote on X, referring to the E3 group’s meeting with Iranian deputy foreign ministers.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Friday that uranium enrichment is a “definite red line” for Tehran and will not be suspended under any circumstances.
“Our negotiating partners know well that the Islamic Republic will never trade away achievements gained through the blood of martyrs and great national sacrifice,” Gharibabadi wrote on X. “The right to enrichment is our firm red line. A halt to enrichment is not acceptable.”
Tehran has not yet received the US proposal for a nuclear agreement but expects to obtain it soon, an Iranian source close to the negotiating team told Reuters.
“Oman has got it and will hand it over to Tehran soon,” the source said, referring to the written proposal presented by US officials during the fourth round of indirect talks in Muscat.
Earlier today, US President Donald Trump said that Iran has received his administration’s proposal on a nuclear deal and warned that Tehran must act fast.
