Conflict Expands as Yemen’s Houthis Join the Iran‑Israel War

The fighting that began with a US strike on Iranian targets has now spread to Yemen, where the Houthi rebels—close allies of Iran—have launched missile attacks on Israeli military sites. Their involvement threatens the Bab al‑Mandab strait, a key shipping lane that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. If this passage were closed, it would hurt global trade and could spark a new conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Houthis say they will keep striking until the “aggression” stops on all fronts. Israel reports that one of the missiles fired from Yemen was intercepted, but the attacks show how the war is moving beyond its original borders. The situation puts pressure on other regional powers, as Saudi Arabia has already rerouted some of its oil exports to avoid the strait that Iran controls.In an attempt to calm tensions, Pakistan announced it would host a meeting of Middle Eastern leaders. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt gathered, but none of the parties actually fighting were present. This limits the meeting’s ability to resolve the conflict, even though some officials claim progress is being made. The war’s reach has widened further when Iran allegedly struck a Ukrainian anti‑drone depot in Dubai, which is helping US forces. Ukraine has supplied anti‑drone technology to Gulf states after years of being attacked by Iranian drones. Meanwhile, reports say the US has used cluster munitions—banned in more than 100 countries—in its strikes, raising concerns about civilian harm. The US and Saudi Arabia have floated the idea of expanding attacks on Iran, with some Saudi leaders hoping for new ties with Israel in exchange. However, the Iranian regime remains intact after a month of bombing, forcing Washington to decide whether to pull back or deepen its involvement. If the war escalates further, it could shut down critical water supplies and trigger a larger regional conflict.