Iran has faced significant setbacks in the Middle East, leading it to rely on its influence over the Houthi terrorist group in Yemen to further its offensive aims, according to sources affiliated with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. Senior military officials within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are involved in Houthi decision-making, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei overseeing the group’s activities. President Donald Trump’s threats against Tehran over its support for the Houthis are supported by reports indicating that a senior IRGC commander is directly commanding Houthi activities. Iran’s weakening “Axis of Resistance” has pushed it to lean on proxies in Iraq and Yemen.
Following the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, Houthi forces have committed over 100 attacks on commercial shipping vessels. The escalation of missile and drone fire between the Houthis and U.S. forces has further strained relations. President Trump has vowed “overwhelming lethal force” in response to Houthi attacks and warned Iran of consequences for any actions taken by the group. Brig. Gen. Abdolreza Shahlai, responsible for Iran’s intervention in Yemen, has close ties to former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and is overseeing all Houthi operations.
The report also highlights the extent of Iranian control over the Houthi group, with Khamenei personally supervising all political and military affairs that are approved by the regime. The Iranian Embassy in Yemen is reported to be under the full control of the Quds Force, with little evidence of personnel from Iran’s Foreign Ministry present. Ali Safavi of the NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee blames the Iranian regime for war and instability in the region, advocating for the regime’s overthrow by the Iranian people. He calls for international support for the Iranian resistance, designation of the IRGC as a terrorist entity, activation of the U.N. Security Council snapback mechanism, and endorsement of the Resistance Units’ fight against the regime.
This reliance on the Houthi group in Yemen comes at a time when Iran’s other proxy forces are facing setbacks, with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Assad regime in Syria all encountering challenges. The report notes a shift in Iran’s focus towards its proxies in Iraq and Yemen due to these developments. President Trump’s response to the escalating tensions between the Houthis and U.S. forces reflects a broader concern over Iran’s sponsorship and support for terrorist groups in the region. The report highlights the involvement of senior IRGC officials in directing Houthi activities, emphasizing the regime’s role in fueling conflict and instability in the Middle East.
As the conflict between the Houthis and U.S. forces intensifies, there is a growing sense of urgency for a decisive international policy towards Iran. Safavi argues that the only viable solution to the Iranian crisis is the overthrow of the regime by the Iranian people. He calls for increased recognition and support for the Iranian resistance, labeling the IRGC as a terrorist entity, using the U.N. Security Council snapback mechanism to address the regime’s actions, and endorsing the efforts of Resistance Units fighting against the government. The report sheds light on Iran’s efforts to bolster its influence through proxy forces like the Houthis, highlighting the broader implications of its sponsorship of terrorism in the region.
