A SENIOR official from Yemen’s Houthi movement has warned that American airstrikes targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities represent the “beginning of a major war” in the Middle East, in a stark reflection of mounting regional fears over rapidly escalating hostilities.
The statement came in response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that B-2 bombers had launched strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites, with a “full bomb load” reportedly dropped on the fortified Fordow facility.
Speaking to Al-Masirah TV, Houthi political spokesperson Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said: “This is not just a provocation – it is a declaration of war against the entire Axis of Resistance. The United States is now officially a party to this conflict.”
He added that the Houthis and their allies “will not remain silent” in the face of threats to Iran, which they regard as a key strategic partner in resisting what he described as “Zionist-American hegemony”.
Al-Bukhaiti called on Arab and Muslim nations to adopt a united and forceful position against the US strikes, cautioning that any further aggression could unleash an “uncontrollable chain reaction”.
Iran has yet to release a formal statement on the extent of the damage, though the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed a minor radiological leak at one of the targeted sites. The agency stated there was no immediate threat to public safety. - June 22, 2025
