WASHINGTON, March 17. /TASS/. The US Department of Defense refrained from commenting on the possibility of a ground operation against the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement in Yemen and a hypothetical military action against Iran.

When asked by a reporter whether the possibility of a ground operation against Houthis was on the table, US Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell replied: "We're not going to say anything from the podium until we're 100% sure that we have it right."

Then, the spokesman was asked to comment on possible military actions against Iran in connection with an earlier statement by US President Donald Trump, who said Tehran can be held responsible for Ansar Allah’s actions.

"I don’t want to get out in front of the of the President or the Secretary [of Defense], but clearly, the President's [statement on] Truth Social was pretty clear, and I think the meaning is right there for everybody. I think everybody understands what he means," Parnell said.

"All options are on the table at this time," he added.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said Washington will hold Tehran responsible for all attacks staged by Yemen’s rebel Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement, and threatened Iran with consequences in a post on his Truth Social website. Trump also said that given Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement’s ties to Iran, the United States may not stop at striking Houthi facilities if their attacks on US forces in the region continue.

On March 15, the US started to carry out massive strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen based on an order from Trump. The US Central Command said that the goal was to defend American interests and restore freedom of navigation. In response, the Ansar Allah movement twice attacked the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the northern part of the Red Sea, using missiles and drones. According to the latest data from the Houthi health ministry, the US strikes on Yemen have killed 53 people and left at least 98 wounded.