Yemen declares major offensive against Houthis as Iran warns US of stronger response

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has announced a major military operation against Houthi rebels, effectively shattering a four-year ceasefire and reigniting the country's civil war.

The escalation comes as regional tensions continue to rise. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that any renewed military action by the US or its allies would trigger a "much stronger and more decisive" response than before.

In Yemen, the decision to launch a fresh offensive follows days of heavy fighting. Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the ruling Presidential Leadership Council, declared the military campaign after Iran-backed Houthi rebels advanced on the outskirts of Taiz, a strategically important southwestern city.

The Houthi offensive managed to disrupt a key highway that connects Taiz to the southern port city of Aden, which serves as the seat of the internationally recognised government. The rebels have kept Taiz under siege for more than a decade, but this latest push threatened to cut off its remaining lifeline. The sudden flare-up marks a collapse in the fragile truce that had largely held between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government.

Iran warns of stronger response

As fighting intensified in Yemen, Iran’s leadership attempted to project both military readiness and a willingness to negotiate.

Speaking to diplomats and international representatives in Tehran, Araghchi said that while Iran remains open to finding a "fair and honourable solution" through diplomacy, it will not hesitate to defend itself. He also outlined a proposal to restore shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, presenting it as proof of Tehran's "good faith" in trying to de-escalate the crisis.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a central focus of the confrontation.

Secret proposals and public rejections

Despite the threat of wider war, backchannel communication appears to be continuing. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament and a lead negotiator in earlier direct talks with the US, told lawmakers on Sunday that Washington had recently sent proposals through an unnamed mediator.

The claim contrasts with public statements from Washington. US President Donald Trump said last week that he had rejected Iran’s latest peace offer, calling it insufficient. Qalibaf dismissed the rejection, claiming that American officials "say something different in the media" compared to what they propose in private.

Qalibaf warned that Iran would not allow the US to drag out negotiations or dictate unilateral terms. He added that Tehran's seven conditions for fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain unchanged.