TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — On March 30, 2025, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they struck Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv with a missile, an action they said was in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, where fighting between Israel and Hamas has persisted since 2023 with no ceasefire in sight. Israel denied the claim, stating the missile was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
The U.S. has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, 2025, aiming to counter their attacks on Red Sea shipping. On March 26, the Houthis claimed to have targeted the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. aircraft carrier, in the Red Sea. However, this claim remains unverified, consistent with similar past assertions by the Houthis regarding attacks on U.S. carriers.
These developments have escalated tensions in the region, further straining the already fraught U.S.-Iran relationship, as Iran is a key backer of the Houthis amid an ongoing nuclear standoff. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran regarding its nuclear program, emphasizing potential consequences.
Meanwhile, Iran has signaled military readiness and expressed openness to indirect negotiations, hinting at a complex interplay of diplomacy and confrontation.
