WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Houthis issued a stark warning Saturday, threatening to attack U.S. ships in the Middle East if the United States becomes involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

This development comes amid heightened global scrutiny following the United States military launching airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East.

The Houthis, a Shia Muslim group from northern Yemen designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, have a history of rebellion against the Yemeni government dating back to the early 2000s. In 2023, they began launching attacks on Israel, most of which were intercepted.

Last year, the U.S. and the U.K. initiated attacks on the Houthis after the group sank several ships in the Middle East, seized another, and killed four crew members.

In March, the U.S. officially declared the Houthis a terrorist organization, and President Trump authorized a series of military strikes against them. An agreement was reached where neither side would target the other, provided there were no attacks on their respective groups or countries.

However, tensions have escalated with the Houthis' latest threat, underscoring the fragile nature of peace in the region.