Iran Leans on Houthi Proxies as Regional Influence Wanes, Fueling Tensions
Amidst significant setbacks in the Middle East, with its proxy forces facing challenges in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria, Iran is increasingly relying on its influence over the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen to advance its strategic objectives.
According to findings obtained by sources within Tehran, affiliated with the Iranian resistance group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), senior Iranian military officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are deeply involved in Houthi decision-making. Moreover, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is said to exert direct control over the group’s activities.
The report, compiled by the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), reveals that Khamenei personally oversees all Houthi political and military affairs, which are first vetted and approved by his regime. Sources within the IRGC have reported that Khamenei has personally emphasized the importance of Houthi attacks and directed the dispatch of weapons and equipment to the group.
This increased reliance on the Houthis comes as Iran’s "Axis of Resistance" faces mounting pressure. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the instability in Syria have compelled Tehran to bolster its proxies in Iraq and Yemen.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi forces have launched over 100 attacks on commercial shipping vessels, triggering responses from other terrorist networks in the region, including Hezbollah. The exchange of missile and drone fire between the Houthis and U.S. forces has escalated, particularly after the Houthi threat to renew strikes on Israeli vessels following Jerusalem’s decision to cut off humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
In response to these developments, former President Donald Trump vowed to employ "overwhelming lethal force" to halt Houthi attacks and warned Iran that it would be held "fully accountable" for any attacks.
The report identifies IRGC Brig. Gen. Abdolreza Shahlai as the key figure in charge of all military, political, and economic matters related to Iran’s intervention in Yemen, including Houthi operations and attacks. Shahlai is said to have close ties to Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, who was killed under President Trump’s order in Iraq in 2020.
Furthermore, the report alleges that the Iranian Embassy in Yemen is under the complete control of the Quds Force, raising concerns about the extent of Iran’s direct involvement in Houthi activities. While intelligence operations within embassies are not uncommon, the report found no evidence of any personnel from Iran’s Foreign Ministry present in the embassy.
Ali Safavi, a member of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized that the "mullahs’ regime" is the root cause of war and instability in the region, sustained through internal repression and the export of terrorism and conflict abroad. He advocated for the regime’s overthrow by the Iranian people and called for a decisive international policy toward Iran, including recognizing the legitimacy of the Iranian resistance, proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist entity, activating the U.N. Security Council snapback mechanism, and supporting the Resistance Units’ fight against the regime.
The situation in Yemen remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The Houthis’ attacks on commercial shipping pose a significant threat to international trade and security. The United States and its allies have repeatedly condemned these attacks and have taken military action to deter them.
The international community is grappling with how to address the crisis in Yemen and the broader issue of Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region. Some advocate for a diplomatic solution, while others argue for a more assertive approach, including sanctions and military pressure.
The Iranian regime’s increasing reliance on the Houthis underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s malign influence in the Middle East and prevent further escalation of conflicts. This strategy must involve not only military and economic measures but also diplomatic efforts to isolate Iran and support the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy.
