The United States will continue airstrikes on Yemen until the Iran-backed Houthi rebels no longer have the capability to attack global shipping and the US Navy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday.

Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation”, Rubio stated that there is no current plan for US ground operations in Yemen.

“I don’t think there’s a necessity for it right now,” he said when asked about the possibility of deploying American troops.

Rubio also pointed to Iran’s influence, stating that the Houthis would not be able to attack commercial vessels and US warships without Iranian support.

“There is no way the Houthis would have the ability to attack global shipping without support from Iran,” he said, reinforcing Washington’s long-standing position that Tehran plays a key role in the Red Sea conflict.

The Houthis have been targeting commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, claiming their attacks are in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The US and its allies have responded with air and missile strikes, aiming to weaken the group’s military infrastructure.

Rubio: US strikes in Yemen to continue until Houthi threat is neutralized