In a strong statement issued today, Iran has called on the United States and Britain to immediately cease their military operations in Yemen. The call comes in response to recent strikes by the US and UK on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, following weeks of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea by the Houthis. The strikes were conducted by the US and UK in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but have raised fears of a broader escalation in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, delivered the warning, stating, "We warn America and Britain to stop the war against Yemen immediately." Amir-Abdollahian further urged the United States and Israel to end their military operations in Gaza, emphasizing that as long as the conflict persists, the Houthis will continue to disrupt maritime traffic by blocking Israeli ships or those bound for Israeli ports.

Iran has previously criticized the strikes on Yemen, calling them "arbitrary" and a violation of international law. The recent attacks on the Red Sea by the Houthi rebels have caused significant disruptions to trade routes in the region. While the United States has accused Iran of being deeply involved in the Houthi attacks, Tehran has denied these claims.

The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched unprecedented attacks on southern Israel. The conflict has resulted in a high number of casualties, with approximately 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians. Hamas has also taken hostages, with Israel reporting that 132 individuals remain captive in Gaza. In response, Israel has launched a relentless military campaign in Gaza, leading to the deaths of at least 24,100 people, predominantly women and children.

Notably, Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, expressed the country's support for resistance groups while emphasizing their independence. "Iran sees it as its duty to support the resistance groups, though they are independent in their opinion, decision, and action," Raisi stated.

As tensions in the region continue to rise, the international community watches with concern, hoping for a de-escalation of conflicts and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crises. The call by Iran to halt the strikes on Yemen adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in the Middle East.