Iran Condemns US Strikes in Yemen as 'War Crime' Amid Campaign to Protect Global Trade
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN’s migration agency have called for caution and emphasized the need for civilian protection.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iran on Monday condemned US airstrikes in Yemen, calling them a “war crime” after Houthi-controlled media claimed the strikes hit a migrant detention center in Saada, killing at least 68 people. The United States, however, has defended its actions as necessary to protect international shipping lanes from Iranian-backed Houthi aggression.
In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused Washington of targeting "civilian targets, vital infrastructure and people's homes," labeling the operations as criminal. The United Nations also expressed concern over the reported civilian deaths, urging all sides to protect noncombatants.
The US military, operating under “Operation Rough Rider” since mid-March, has conducted near-daily precision strikes aimed at halting the Houthis’ escalating attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — vital corridors that account for roughly 12 percent of global trade.
According to the AFP, a US defense official acknowledged awareness of the reports of civilian casualties and stressed that Washington takes such claims "very seriously," promising a thorough battle-damage assessment. However, American officials emphasized that their operations specifically target Houthi military assets, not civilians.
“We have struck over 800 targets, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous leaders," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. "Our operations have degraded the pace and effectiveness of their attacks, which are only possible with the backing of the Iranian regime."
The airstrikes come in direct response to Houthi missile and drone attacks launched under the pretext of supporting Palestinians, which have endangered international shipping, driven up global shipping costs, and destabilized a critical artery of world trade.
Despite Iran's condemnation, Washington has remained steadfast in its mission. "We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met — the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," CENTCOM affirmed.
Meanwhile, Houthi media outlets, which remain under Tehran’s influence, circulated images of rubble and casualties, attempting to portray the strikes as indiscriminate attacks on migrants. However, independent verification of these claims remains unavailable, and the US military continues to investigate.
International organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN’s migration agency, have called for caution and emphasized the need for civilian protection. Still, the United States insists that the responsibility for the conflict and any humanitarian fallout lies squarely with the Houthi leadership and their Iranian sponsors.
While critics seek to politicize the consequences of the ongoing conflict, the United States remains focused on its core mission: defending freedom of navigation, protecting innocent lives, and holding Iran-backed militants accountable. As long as threats to global stability persist, Washington has made it clear — deterrence will be enforced, and American resolve will not waver.
