In a significant move, the United States has re-designated Yemen's Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision on Tuesday, emphasizing the Trump administration's commitment to safeguarding American interests and global security. This action reinforces a previous designation made by President Trump, later rescinded by the Biden administration. Rubio firmly stated that the U.S. will not tolerate any nation engaging in business with terrorist groups like the Houthis.

This designation underscores the gravity of the Houthi threat, particularly in light of their escalating attacks in the Red Sea. Following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent Gaza conflict, Houthi attacks on vessels in the region have surpassed 100. The U.S. military has been actively protecting its warships and commercial ships in the area from Houthi aggression.

The reinstatement of the Houthi terrorist designation aligns with President Trump's initial executive order, which highlighted the group's threat to American citizens, regional partners, and global maritime trade. The Biden administration's reversal of this designation in 2021 aimed to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to Yemen, a decision now overturned in light of heightened security concerns.

Following President Trump's suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza last month, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened military action against the U.S. and Israel. This escalation has prompted high-level discussions within the U.S. military regarding the most effective counterterrorism strategy. Some advocate for targeted strikes against Houthi leadership and attack planners, while others favor a defensive approach focusing on disrupting infrastructure and weapons storage.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.