United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Khalid bin Salman had a telephone conversation and discussed the Houthi movement's activities and the risk those pose in the Red Sea, the Pentagon said in a statement issued on Thursday.
"Secretary Austin emphasized that Houthi aggression toward vessels transiting critical waterways poses risks to the free flow of commerce and the international shipping industry. He also underscored Iran's dangerous role in advising, arming, and training the Houthis," the statement read.
Earlier in the day, the US unveiled its sanctions against 13 people and entities suspected of funding the Houthis. Meanwhile, the White House stressed the country is not in direct conflict with the organization.
