Conflict Over Nuclear Negotiations Heighten Tensions in the Middle East, Waltz: “Iranian Leaders Won’t Get to the Nuclear Button”
Rubio Suggests Continuing Offensive on Houthis
“Respond Until US Ships Lose Threat Capability”,
On the 11th (local time) in Sana’a, Yemen, Houthi rebel fighters armed with personal weapons participate in a rally expressing support for the resumption of attacks on Israeli vessels. The Houthis have announced that they will resume maritime operations against Israel in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea if Israel does not lift its humanitarian blockade on the Gaza Strip. [2025.03.12. Xinhua News Agency],
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, ‘The US, which launched a massive airstrike on the Yemeni Houthi rebels, has also warned Iran that it could directly target its nuclear facilities. As America aims to subdue the Houthis attacking Western ships passing through the Red Sea and curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, tensions in the Middle East are escalating.’,
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, ‘Michael Waltz, US National Security Advisor, appeared on ABC News on the 16th (local time) and spoke about the possibility of attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, stating “All options are being considered to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” President Trump recently proposed nuclear program negotiations to Iran, which was rejected. Advisor Waltz asserted that Trump’s proposed negotiations with Iran encompass missiles, weaponization, and enrichment, emphasizing that “Ayatollah (Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei) cannot hold the nuclear button.”’,
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, ‘ MobileAdNew center ‘, ‘He made it clear that the airstrikes conducted against the Houthis on the 15th were a warning to Iran, which supports the Houthis. Advisor Waltz emphasized, “We attacked them with overwhelming power and sent a warning to Iran, which supports terrorists and provides them with weapons.”’,
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, ‘The US military’s offensive against the Houthi rebels is expected to continue for the time being. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on CBS the same day, “We will continue to attack until the Houthis lose the capability to attack Western ships in the Red Sea.” He labeled the Houthis as ‘pirates’ and explained that there had been 174 attacks by the Houthis on US Navy vessels and 145 attacks on global commercial ships.’,
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, ‘However, Secretary Rubio indicated that there is currently no need for ground operations against the Houthi bases in Yemen. He explained, “Some key figures involved in the missile launches have been killed, and some military facilities have been destroyed.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also emphasized in a Fox News interview that day, “We will relentlessy attack until the Houthis declare they will halt military actions targeting US assets and global shipping.”‘,
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, ‘Al Jazeera reported on the 17th that the Houthi rebels targeted the US aircraft carrier Harry Truman with drones and missiles in response to airstrikes. Reuters reported that US officials stated that US fighter jets F-16 and F-18 shot down all 11 drones launched by the Houthis near the carrier.’,
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, ‘The Iranian government has expressed willingness to engage in denuclearization talks, provided sanctions are relieved, but the Trump administration’s stance remains to completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear ambitions through military and economic pressure. However, there are cautious voices within Iran advocating for negotiations with the US, leading to speculation that a full-scale confrontation between the two nations might be avoided. In fact, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, hours before the US airstrike in Yemen on the 15th, met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and expressed commitment to diplomacy aimed at maintaining peace and stability.’