"Iran-Backed Houthi Escalation Threatens Red Sea Stability and Challenges US Policy"

Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have escalated tensions in the Middle East by attacking Israeli and American targets, including commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The US retaliated by destroying three Houthi boats, marking a significant turn in the crisis. Analysts suggest that the Houthis are Iran's preferred proxy due to their strategic position near key shipping routes and their lack of domestic political constraints. The situation has been further complicated by recent bomb blasts in Kerman, Iran, which killed nearly 100 people, amid increasing confrontations between Iranian-backed groups and Israel, backed by the US. The incidents highlight the volatile nature of proxy warfare in the region and the potential for broader conflict.