Although a month has passed since the start of the war between Iran and the United States and Israel, there are still no signs of the conflict subsiding.
In the latest exchanges of attacks by both sides, Yemen’s Houthis have now entered the battlefield in support of Iran.
Houthi officials in Yemen have confirmed that, for the first time since the start of the war between Iran and the United States and Israel, they have carried out attacks on Israel in support of Iran.
A Houthi spokesperson said that in response to strikes targeting Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestinian territories, they launched several ballistic missiles at sensitive Israeli military installations.
Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated:
“We carried out a series of attacks using cruise missiles and drones targeting several key Israeli military centers. These attacks were highly successful and achieved their objectives. As long as the enemy does not stop its aggression, more attacks will be carried out in the coming days.”
The Houthis also say their operations will continue until aggression on all fronts comes to an end. Some international media have written that the Houthis’ involvement in the Iran–U.S.–Israel war could open a new front against the United States.
According to analysts, the Houthis joining the conflict raises the risk of a new war front opening near the Red Sea.
Former diplomat Aziz Maarij said:
“The war between Iran, the United States, and Israel will continue because it is a pre-planned conflict. Along with this, there will be changes in the world, especially in the Gulf region. This war will also bring changes to the global economy and oil policies. In my view, gradually countries such as Turkey, Arab states, and the European Union may also become involved.”
On the other hand, Yemen’s internationally recognized government has accused Iran of dragging the country into conflict and condemned what it says are Iran’s efforts to pull Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries into war through its armed militias.
At the same time, The Washington Post has reported that the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) is preparing for possible ground operations in Iran lasting several weeks. The report states that it is still unclear whether Donald Trump will approve these operations.
The newspaper wrote:
“The U.S. Department of Defense has plans or is preparing to carry out ground operations in Iran for several weeks. Thousands of Marines have arrived in the Middle East for these operations, reflecting a dangerous escalation of the conflict, but it remains unclear whether Donald Trump will authorize such ground operations.”
The involvement of the Houthis in the Middle East war has also increased concerns about the possible closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, in addition to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has previously attacked tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz and currently allows passage only to vessels that, according to Iran, are not affiliated with enemy countries.
