In the Red Sea, a rebel movement targeted the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in retaliation for Yemeni strikes. A military spokesperson described the event, noting the carrier’s position at the time the attack unfolded. The assault involved a mix of weaponry: two cruise missiles and two drones participated in the initial strike, while an additional air-to-surface missile and four unmanned aerial vehicles were reported to have engaged a nearby United States destroyer. The episode forms part of a series of clashes in the region that have kept international observers focused on maritime routes near Yemen and the broader security situation affecting Western naval forces.
Officials described the strike on the carrier as the third attack within 48 hours. The opposing force moved with enough speed to spread confusion across the maritime picture, drawing the majority of warships toward the northern portion of the Red Sea. The quick succession of actions underscored how quickly the balance of naval power could tilt in this convulsive theatre, where a handful of vessels can change the tempo of a day at sea and force allies to recalibrate patrol routes and readiness postures in response to new threats.
The commentary came as the United States began a large-scale operation on the night of March 16 to shield its ships from further assaults by the Houthis in Yemeni territory. Washington conducted a series of airstrikes against targets in Yemen as part of that effort. President Donald Trump warned of severe consequences if the Red Sea attacks ceased, saying the intensity of the strikes had not been seen before. The sequence of actions reportedly produced considerable disruption, with injuries reported and a significant number killed, signaling a high human and material cost on all sides involved in the confrontation.
Iran later addressed investigators regarding participation in the Houthis’ attacks, offering a response to questions from authorities. The exchange highlighted the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Yemen conflict, where external actors continue to weigh their lines of support and the potential spillover effects for regional stability and international law at sea.