Yemen and the Red Sea

Trump says US will take care of any Houthi Red Sea blockade

This version is a correction.

DIPLOMACY
Location
White House, Washington DC
Actors
United States · Houthis · Saudi Arabia
Importance
Notable

President Trump said a Bab el-Mandeb / Red Sea blockade had not yet happened but warned that if the Houthis imposed one, the United States would “take care of that,” after commercial vessels began turning back from the strait.

Speaking at the White House on 21 July 2026 alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said “so far it hasn’t happened” regarding a Red Sea blockade while acknowledging it might. The speech act is recorded on the Red Sea theatre because it responds directly to the Houthi Saudi-port embargo threat; Iran-focused US strike nights remain on the Iran regional theatre.

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: Trump says no Red Sea blockade yet, but if Houthis try to impose one, U.S. will "take care of that", Shipping insider says "nothing is going through" the Strait of Hormuz; Bab el-Mandeb risk after Houthi threat