Pentagon says US not at war in Middle East as it continues to carry out multiple strikes

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Defense officials say the U.S. and Houthis are not involved in a conflict, nor is the U.S. at war in the Middle East, despite dropping missiles on the Iran-backed group multiple times over the past two weeks.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder was asked by a reporter on Tuesday if the U.S. was on the brink of war in the Middle East. The question came after Ryder fielded another question regarding the U.N. secretary general urging all parties to take a step back from the "brink" and to consider the cost to human life if a regional conflict were to break out.

"We are not at war in the Middle East," Ryder said. "Clearly, there are significant tensions in the Middle East. And again, we’re working closely with allies and partners to de-escalate and reduce those tensions where we can, recognizing the fact that, you know, others have a vote as well."

Ryder also said the U.S. has been "very focused" on deterrence and preventing a wider regional conflict in the Middle East.

US DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY MORE LARGE-SCALE STRIKES CONDUCTED AGAINST HOUTHI FORCES

"We’ll stay focused on that," he said.

The comments came a day after U.S. defense officials said U.S. and U.K. ships and warplanes carried out multiple strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, striking eight locations.

One of the Houthi targets struck by U.S. and British munitions included Al