On November 14, 2024, U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking stated that President-elect Donald Trump would not tolerate the ongoing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization, on vessels in the Red Sea.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Lenderking predicted that Trump may reinstate the Houthis on the list of terrorist organizations, a designation they were removed from by former President Joe Biden.

During his last days in office, Trump classified the Houthis as a "terrorist organization," while Biden lifted that designation in February 2021, citing humanitarian reasons. However, the Houthis were partially reclassified as terrorists in January 2024 due to their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Since October, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against commercial vessels, causing a rise in marine insurance costs and prompting many shipping companies to reroute around the southern tip of Africa.

In December 2023, the United States formed a multinational coalition to protect maritime traffic from attacks by the designated terrorist group, while also conducting airstrikes targeting Houthi positions and weapon depots across several provinces.