U.S. President Donald Trump warned on the 23rd (local time) that the United States would hold Iran accountable if Houthi rebels continue their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that while the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels had acted “very responsibly” since the U.S. launched a major operation against the group last year, their attitude had changed after they claimed responsibility for an attack on two Saudi oil tankers last night.

“A year ago, the United States responded strongly to the Houthis attacking ships and disrupting commerce and trade,” President Trump wrote. He added, “If they do this again, because the Houthis are a proxy of Iran, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible and impose powerful military sanctions on Iran, and of course, on the Houthi rebels as well.”

President Trump noted that the Houthi rebels had “behaved very professionally and wisely until now,” but added that he was “very disappointed” in them.

The warning came shortly after the Houthi rebels announced that they had attacked two Saudi oil tankers as part of a “maritime blockade” against Saudi Arabia.

One of the ships sent a distress signal after being struck by a missile near the Saudi port of Jizan, and Saudi state media reported that the attack caused a fire on board.

This attack threatens to create a second major bottleneck in the world’s energy supply, following the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been targeting commercial vessels for weeks.

Shipping analysts have warned that if Houthi attacks continue near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it could further disrupt global trade and drive up energy prices.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Tehran would continue to pay a heavy price until it agrees to a lasting peace settlement.

“Iran is begging to negotiate every single day,” Secretary Rubio told reporters during a diplomatic summit in Southeast Asia. “The problem with Iran is that every time they make a deal… they try to break it or change the terms.”

Rubio also asserted that the Houthi rebels have been controlled by Tehran, claiming that the militant group has been “snookered into this situation.”

A day earlier, President Trump had warned that every time Iran attacks vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant.

Meanwhile, U.S. military operations targeting Iran continued overnight, amid reports that Iranian forces had launched further attacks on U.S. bases and infrastructure in neighboring countries.

As the conflict escalates, energy markets have become volatile, with Brent crude oil prices surging as traders assess the growing risks to the world's two most critical maritime oil transport routes.

As of the 23rd, international Brent crude has surpassed $100 per barrel, trading in the $100–$101 range. This marks a sharp increase compared to the previous day, when it closed at $84.86 after hitting an intraday high of $87.14.

The Trump administration has maintained that sustained military pressure is necessary to protect freedom of navigation, defend U.S. forces and allies, and bring Iran back to the negotiating table.

U.S. NNP = Representative Reporter Hong Sung-goo / NNP Special Contribution info@newsandpost.com