U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a clear and forceful warning to Iran this week, declaring that Tehran will face serious consequences for continuing to provide lethal support to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The statement comes amid growing concerns over Iran’s escalating proxy war tactics and its direct role in attacks on American forces and global shipping lanes.
Speaking during a national security briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth did not mince words: “We know exactly what you’re doing, and you will pay the consequence for it.” He pointed directly at Iran’s role in supplying advanced drones, missiles, and intelligence to the Houthis, who have stepped up their aggression against U.S. military assets and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Tensions hit a boiling point after a Houthi drone strike forced the USS Harry S. Truman to take evasive action last week. The incident led to the loss of an F/A-18 fighter jet valued at over $67 million. That attack, paired with a pattern of provocations across the region, has triggered a swift and sustained military response from the Trump administration.
Since March, U.S. forces have carried out more than 1,000 precision strikes against Houthi infrastructure, weapons depots, and launch sites in Yemen. According to defense officials, many of the targeted facilities were constructed or supported with Iranian funding and technical expertise.
President Donald Trump has backed the Pentagon’s efforts, stating that any future Houthi attacks on U.S. personnel or property will be treated as direct aggression from Iran. “If the Houthis fire, it’s Tehran pulling the trigger,” Trump said. “And our response will reflect that.”
While Iranian officials continue to deny having operational control over the Houthis, U.S. intelligence and battlefield evidence paint a very different picture. Defense analysts say the group’s increased accuracy and range in drone and missile attacks wouldn’t be possible without ongoing Iranian coordination.
Despite parallel diplomatic discussions over Iran’s nuclear program, the Trump administration has drawn a firm line: Iranian-backed terror will not be tolerated. Hegseth emphasized that while diplomacy remains on the table, deterrence must come first.
This latest warning adds to a broader regional strategy that includes expanding cooperation with Israel, strengthening naval security across the Gulf, and increasing economic pressure on Tehran through targeted sanctions.
The message from Washington is now unmistakable: the era of ignoring Iranian proxy violence is over, and there will be consequences—for every drone launched, every shipment attacked, and every American threatened.
The post Pete Hegseth Warns Iran Over Lethal Support To Houthis: ‘You Will Pay The Consequence’ appeared first on Real News Now.
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