Iran's surprising message to the Houthis – and their strange response

Are Iran and its allies worried about an impending American attack? According to a Reuters report published today (Monday), Iran has sent a message to the leadership of the Houthis in Yemen, calling on them to "calm tensions" with the United States. The surprising move comes just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, threatening severe consequences for any further Houthi aggression.

The Reuters report indicates that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also delivered a similar message to the leadership of Oman, a country that has previously acted as a mediator between Iran and the Houthis. The diplomatic outreach suggests Tehran may be seeking to de-escalate the situation amid growing regional tensions.

However, the Houthis appear to have other plans. Jamal Amer, the foreign minister of the Houthi terrorist organization, told Reuters that his group outright rejected Iran’s call for restraint. Amer emphasized that the Houthis would not scale back their attacks in the Red Sea, despite appeals from their allies in Tehran. "There will be no discussion about reducing operations before the siege on aid to Gaza is lifted," he declared. "Iran does not interfere in our decisions – what happens is that Iran sometimes mediates, but it cannot dictate decisions to us."

Amer went further, issuing a stark warning: "Now we see that Yemen is at war with the United States, and that means it is our right to defend ourselves in every possible way. This means escalation is a very likely possibility." The Houthis, who have launched numerous attacks in the Red Sea, have positioned themselves as staunch opponents of both the U.S. and Israel, often tying their actions to the conflict in Gaza.

Trump’s Threat and a Blow to Israel?

The Iranian message follows a fiery statement from President Trump on Sunday night, posted to his Truth Social platform. "Don’t be fooled – the hundreds of attacks by the Houthis, that gang of thugs and mobsters from Yemen who are hated by the Yemeni people, all come from and were created by Iran," Trump wrote. He warned that "any further attack or response from the Houthis will be met with great force," adding that "there’s no guarantee it will stop there." Trump made it clear that he views Iran as directly responsible for Houthi actions, stating, "From now on, every Houthi attack will be considered a shot from Iran’s military and leadership, and they will bear responsibility and suffer the consequences – which will be severe."

Trump accused Iran of feigning innocence while maintaining full control over the Houthis. "Iran has pretended to be the 'innocent victim' and claimed it lost control over the terrorists – but in reality, it hasn’t lost control," he wrote. "They dictate every move, supply them with weapons, money, sophisticated military equipment, and even alleged intelligence."

Israeli political commentator Amit Segal weighed in on the development, suggesting that if the Reuters report is accurate, it could spell trouble for Israel. "If this is true – it’s a blow to Israel," Segal said, hinting at the potential implications of Iran distancing itself from Houthi aggression while maintaining influence behind the scenes.

Escalation in Yemen

The news comes amid ongoing military activity in the region. Just yesterday, the U.S. conducted another airstrike in Yemen, targeting an iron factory in a move seen as a response to Houthi aggression. Meanwhile, Israel’s air force carried out a second strike in southern Syria within 24 hours, signaling a broader escalation across multiple fronts.

The Houthis, widely viewed as an Iranian proxy, have long been a thorn in the side of both regional and Western powers. Their refusal to heed Tehran’s call for calm underscores the complex dynamics at play, where Iran’s influence over its allies may not be as absolute as its adversaries claim – or as limited as Tehran suggests.

As tensions simmer, the possibility of a wider confrontation looms large, with the U.S., Iran, and their respective allies possibly in for a lengthy battle.