The United States is not looking for a war with the Houthis, the White House said on Tuesday.
"We're not looking to expand this. The Houthis have a choice to make and they still have time to make the right choice, which is to stop these reckless attacks," White House spokesman John Kirby said.
Attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea have affected companies and alarmed major world powers. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.
Kirby's remarks came the day after the Houthis struck a U.S.-owned and operated container ship with a ballistic missile. There were no reports of injuries.
The Houthis have threatened to target U.S. and British ships after the two countries launched strikes against the terrorist group last week.
British oil giant Shell suspended shipments through the Red Sea for fear of Houthi attacks, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday,