Nathan Klabin/The Media Line
english.alarabiya.net Mar. 24, 2025
“By blaming Iran for the Houthis’ attacks, Trump is drawing a direct line between Iran’s regional ambitions and the broader security concerns of the international community.”
Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated significantly in recent weeks, partly due to the involvement of Yemen’s Houthi rebels and accusations of Iranian support for the group. These tensions reached a boiling point when President Donald Trump directly blamed Iran for the Houthis’ aggressive actions against international shipping vessels in the Red Sea. In an attempt to hold Iran accountable, Trump warned of severe consequences if such attacks persisted, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for control and influence in the Middle East.
The evidence of Iranian support for the Houthis is extensive and difficult to deny. Over the past decade, various intelligence reports, intercepted shipments, and public statements by officials have painted a picture of a strategic alliance between Iran and the Houthis. Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), particularly its Qods Force, is believed to be the primary conduit through which this support flows. The IRGC has been linked to the transfer of sophisticated weaponry to the Houthis, including ballistic missiles, drones, and other advanced military equipment. In many cases, these weapons are shipped covertly, using civilian vessels to avoid detection, and then distributed to Houthi forces once they reach Yemen.
Several intercepted shipments illustrate the depth of Iran’s involvement. For instance, in 2023, a US Navy destroyer seized a ship in the Gulf of Oman carrying more than 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles. Similarly, in 2019, the US Navy intercepted a dhow in the Arabian Sea that was found to be carrying Iranian-made weapons, including missiles and drone parts. These shipments, along with others, underscore the coordinated effort by Iran to supply the Houthis with the tools necessary to wage a prolonged and devastating war. The arms embargo on Yemen, which is enforced by the United Nations, has done little to deter Iran, highlighting the sophistication of Iran’s smuggling networks and its determination to support its proxies. …SOURCE