Iranian and Hezbollah Support for Houthi Attacks in Red Sea Escalates

Recent intelligence suggests that Iran-backed Houthi rebels are seeking more weapons from Tehran to escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, raising concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. has intercepted Iranian-made missile parts and other weaponry bound for the Houthis, but the group's efforts to procure additional weapons for missile attacks on freighters and potential strikes on Western forces in the region continue. President Biden has acknowledged the failure of U.S.-led strikes to deter Houthi attacks and has vowed to continue targeting the group in Yemen. The situation poses a risk of drawing the U.S. and Iran into a direct conflict, with experts suggesting that Iran's support for the Houthis aims to pressure the U.S. to withdraw from the Middle East.