On March 17, local time on the 16th, US Secretary of State Rubio said in an interview with US media that the United States will continue to strike the Houthis in Yemen until the Houthis no longer have the ability to attack other countries' ships and the US Navy. Rubio also said that the United States is not currently discussing ground military operations against the Houthis, saying that he "does not think it is necessary to do so now". On the same day, US Defense Secretary Hegseth said in an interview that unless the Houthis stop military operations, the United States will continue to take strikes to protect the safety of transportation in critical waterways.