White House: Our message to Iran is, take this president seriously

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump's threats toward Iran should be taken seriously. Addressing Trump's threats against Iran, Leavitt said, "Our message to Iran is, you had better take this president seriously."

Referring to US strikes on Yemen, Leavitt said, "I think the Houthis learned this past weekend that there is a new sheriff in town. This President will not sit idly by and allow terrorists to attack commercial vessels and US Navy ships. He will not tolerate such actions."

Trump had previously stated, "Any attack or retaliation by the Houthis will be met with great force. Every bullet fired by the Houthis will be seen as having been fired by Iran."

Meanwhile, 53 people have lost their lives and 98 others have been injured in the attacks launched by the US on March 15 against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.