Tel Aviv: The US wave of strikes on targets of the Houthi rebels in Yemen continued on March 16. Reports from Yemen claim that at least 50 people were killed so far including some leaders of the Houthi organisation.
Five days after a joint naval exercise in the participations of the navies of Russia, China and Iran, the US showed that it has a new policy against Iran and its new parents and its proxies.
On March 15, the US air force and navy began a series of heavy strikes against targets of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, one of Iran’s main proxies. The strikes continue on March 16 and Washington announced that they will continue.
Trump claimed to have issued an order for “decisive and powerful military action” to eliminate the shipping danger.
“Until we have accomplished our goal, we will employ overwhelming lethal force,” he declared. Trump also cautioned Iran, the primary supporter of the Houthis, that it must immediately stop funding the group. He declared that “America will hold you fully accountable, and we won’t be nice about it” if Iran posed a threat to the US.
The Houthis in recent months attacked cargo ships sailing in the Red Sea and forced the maritime cargo traffic to avoid using the Suez Canal and take the long route passing near the Cape of Good Hope.
On March 15, President Donald Trump said that the United States has launched a “decisive and powerful” wave of airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, citing the armed group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping as justification.
Trump tweeted on his Truth social media platform, “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at US aircraft, and targeted our Troops and Allies.” He also said that their “terrorism, violence, and piracy” have cost “billions of dollars” and endangered lives.
On March 10, 2025, Iran, Russia and China began the seventh annual trilateral naval exercise “Maritime Security Belt 2025,” in the northern Indian Ocean, near Iran’s Chabahar Port. Observers from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka also joined the drills.
Iranian media outlet Tehrantimes.com reported that the 2025 drills signal a deepening alignment among Iran, China, and Russia, reflecting shared opposition to unilateralism.
“Iran has reaffirmed its pivotal role in regional security by leading the seventh iteration of the Maritime Security Belt-2025 joint naval exercises alongside China and Russia, held March 10-13 near the strategic port of Chabahar.”
“The drills, marked by advanced tactical operations and aerial manoeuvres, underscored Tehran’s commitment to safeguarding vital maritime routes while strengthening alliances with global powers in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics.”
“The exercises featured synchronised day and night aerial target shooting, tactical formations, mock rescue missions, and a grand naval parade, demonstrating heightened interoperability among the three nations.”
Rear Admiral Mustafa Taj Al-Dini, deputy operations commander of Iran’s Navy, hailed the drills as a testament to Iran’s technical sophistication and leadership. “The execution of these operations demands precise coordination and step-by-step orders,” he stated, emphasising the seamless integration of the Iranian Navy (part of Artesh) and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy with Chinese and Russian fleets.
“Notably, this year’s drills expanded operational scope, deploying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in deeper waters – a strategic leap from prior iterations,” Taj Al-Dini underscored the significance of such advancements, describing them as critical to countering ‘external threats’ and ensuring regional stability.
Rear Admiral Taj Al-Dini also reiterated Iran’s uncompromising stance. “We will not tolerate any threats or incursions into the nation’s maritime borders. Unity at sea today ensures stability onshore tomorrow,” he added.
“Since their inception in 2019, the Maritime Security Belt drills have evolved in scale and complexity, mirroring Iran’s geopolitical ambitions. The 2025 edition coincides with heightened tensions in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, where Western-led coalitions have increased patrols.
By contrast, Iran’s collaboration with Beijing and Moscow offers an alternative security framework, prioritising regional sovereignty over external intervention.”
Israeli source said that the joint naval exercise tipped the scale and brought the US to launch the heavy attacks against the Houthis, the Iranian proxy armed with Iranian weapons. In addition to attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea during the war that broke out on October 7 between Israel and Iranian proxies in Gaza and Lebanon, Houthis also launched ballistic missiles and armed drones to hit Israel.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
