Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, has condemned the recent announcement by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi. The Houthi leader declared a four-day ultimatum before resuming terrorist attacks targeting commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden. Al-Eryani described this move as a “dangerous escalation.”
Iranian Influence and Regional Security
In a press statement, Al-Eryani emphasized that these threats coincide with a significant military escalation in the region. He asserted that Iran continues to pursue its agenda of destabilizing regional and international security through its armed proxies. The minister noted that the situation in Gaza serves as a pretext for Iran to escalate tensions and achieve strategic gains. He warned that the Iranian threat to international shipping remains persistent and adapts through various means.
Secret Meetings and Coordinated Attacks
Al-Eryani pointed out that these developments are not coincidental. They stem from recent secret meetings held in Beirut, Lebanon, where leaders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard met with representatives of its regional proxies, including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces. These discussions aimed to formulate clear plans for escalating regional tensions by intensifying attacks on international interests and opening multiple fronts simultaneously. The goal is to expand their control in Yemen.
Broader Iranian Strategy
Al-Eryani stated that the Houthi announcement is part of a broader Iranian strategy encompassing several fronts. In Yemen, the militia continues to mobilize forces in the Marib and Taiz fronts. Meanwhile, in Syria, recent days have seen violent clashes between the newly established Syrian government forces and Iranian-affiliated factions. This reflects Iran’s ongoing attempts to assert itself as a dominant power, despite facing international pressure and repeated strikes against its positions and proxies in Syria and Lebanon.
Threats to Global Stability
The minister asserted that Iran, through its armed proxies, seeks to establish a new equation in the region. The Houthis serve as a tool to threaten international shipping and disrupt global markets, similar to how Hezbollah and the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces are utilized in other regional operations. This systematic behavior not only jeopardizes the security of regional countries but also threatens global stability. Targeting strategic waterways like the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab impacts the global economy, energy security, and international trade.
Urgent Call for International Action
In light of this serious escalation, Al-Eryani urged the international community to move beyond mere condemnations. He stressed the necessity for decisive and swift actions to counter these threats and ensure the security of international navigation.
The minister called on the global community to impose stricter sanctions on Iran and the Houthi militia. He also advocated for activating various deterrent measures to address any new escalation that threatens regional and international security. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for genuine support for the Yemeni government and military to restore state authority and end the coup.
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