Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. airstrikes on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are targeting the group's ability to strike global shipping and attack the U.S. military.

Summary

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating they are “doing the world a favor” by eliminating the group’s ability to attack global shipping.

He emphasized the strikes are not a one-time response but a sustained effort until the Houthis can no longer pose a threat.

The campaign follows Trump’s decision to re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist group. Rubio said the Houthis have attacked 174 U.S. Navy vessels and 145 commercial ships, likening them to “pirates” disrupting global trade.