US President Donald Trump threatened Iran and the Houthis in Yemen with 'a big military punishment' yesterday (Thursday) after attacks on ships in the Red Sea, as US forces continued their strikes inside Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said Washington would hold Tehran responsible for the Houthi attacks, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran 'deceived' the group and dragged it into the war, and that the administration's policy is based on 'head for eye'.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country's doctrine is based on 'eye for an eye', and that targeting its infrastructure will be met with a strong response.

While mediation efforts to restore calm are ongoing, Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi told Asharq Al-Awsat that 'Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi, during his visit to Tehran yesterday, carried an initiative aimed at achieving stability in the region, including de-escalation'.

Reports revealed the participation of a US B-1 strategic bomber in striking targets inside Iran, for the first time since the resumption of fighting, coinciding with Washington reinforcing its military presence in the region with additional forces, refueling aircraft, fighter jets, and putting long-range bombers on alert.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened to target European bases, particularly in Britain, that are used against Iran. It said it would not allow Washington to exploit a 'deceptive ceasefire' again to replenish its fuel and ammunition stocks and then resume its attacks.

Britain said its armed forces are on alert to defend the country against any attack.

In Washington, the Senate blocked a resolution to restrict Trump's powers, after the House of Representatives passed a budget worth $95 billion, most of it for war-related operations.

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