Trump warns Iran of "dire" consequences if Houthi attacks continue

Meanwhile in a dramatic escalation of animosity U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that any strike against the U.S. by Yemen's Houthi rebels will be considered a strike by Iran and that Iran would face "dire consequences".

Park Kun-woo covers his remarks and more.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it will be held responsible for any further attacks or retaliation by Yemen's Houthi rebels long backed by Tehran.

Calling the Houthis "sinister mobsters and thugs," Trump posted on social media Monday that "every shot" fired by the rebels will be seen as being fired from the "weapons and leadership" of Iran and that there will be "dire" consequences.

The White House even reinforced Trump's stance, urging that Iran take the warnings seriously.

Such threats came after the U.S. launched a new series of airstrikes over the weekend, which according to the Houthi-run health ministry, targeted more than 30 Yemeni group sites and killed at least 53 people.

The U.S. continued its attacks on Monday, targeting the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate, north of the Yemeni capital Sanaa.

While the Pentagon said strikes will continue in the coming days, it added that will persist until the Houthis cease their attacks.

"The Houthis could stop this tomorrow if they said, 'We're going to stop shooting at your people,' but they've clearly chosen not to do that."

Amid these warnings from the U.S., Iran's United Nations envoy through a letter on Monday told the UN Security Council that Trump and other U.S. officials had made "reckless and provocative statements" that leveled "baseless accusations" against Tehran.

He also said that the U.S. had threatened the use of force against them, adding that Washington is seeking to "unlawfully justify" its acts of "aggression and war crimes" against Yemen.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.