The Middle East remains a volatile region, with recent developments highlighting the complex interplay of state and non-state actors. Israel’s threats to attack Iran following a Houthi-led missile strike on Ben Gurion International Airport have raised concerns about escalating regional tensions.
Why Is Israel Threatening to Attack Iran After Yemen’s Attack?
Israel’s threats to strike Iran stem from the Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport, which temporarily disrupted air traffic and triggered air raid sirens. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a response, explicitly linking Iran to the attack due to its support for the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group aligned with Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry has labeled the Houthis as an Iranian proxy, accusing Tehran of orchestrating attacks to destabilize the region. This perspective is rooted in Iran’s provision of funding, weaponry, and logistical support to the Houthis, enabling their missile and drone capabilities.
From a strategic angle, Israel views Iran as the primary threat to its security, given Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence through proxies like the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. The Houthi attack, claimed as an act of solidarity with Palestinians, is seen as part of Iran’s broader strategy to pressure Israel indirectly. By threatening Iran, Israel aims to deter further proxy attacks and signal its readiness to confront Tehran directly if necessary. However, this approach risks escalating a shadow war into open conflict, especially as Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned of retaliatory strikes if Israel or the U.S. attacks.
Alternatively, Israel’s rhetoric may serve domestic political purposes. Netanyahu, facing internal pressures, could be leveraging the Houthi attack to rally public support and project strength. This angle suggests the threats are partly performative, aimed at reinforcing Israel’s image as a decisive actor while avoiding immediate military action against Iran.
Are U.S. Strikes on the Houthis in Yemen Enough?
Since March 15, 2025, the U.S. has conducted over 1,000 strikes on Houthi targets under Operation Rough Rider, targeting missile sites, drone facilities, and economic assets like the Ras Isa fuel port. These strikes, intensified under President Donald Trump, aim to degrade Houthi capabilities and deter attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel. However, their effectiveness is questionable.
The Houthis have demonstrated resilience, launching missiles at Israel and disrupting maritime trade despite U.S. and U.K. airstrikes. Analysts argue that airstrikes alone cannot dismantle the Houthis, who survived a Saudi-led campaign for eight years. The group’s decentralized structure and Iranian support enable it to absorb losses and retaliate, as seen in their continued attacks post-strikes. Moreover, U.S. strikes have caused significant civilian casualties—over 300 deaths since March—fueling anti-American sentiment and bolstering Houthi recruitment.
From a tactical perspective, U.S. strikes have degraded some Houthi infrastructure, but strategic success remains elusive. The Houthis’ ability to fire long-range missiles, like those targeting Israel, suggests their core capabilities persist. Critics argue that a broader strategy, including diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s support or address Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, is needed. Without these, U.S. strikes risk entrenching the conflict without neutralizing the Houthi threat.
Is Israel Escalating Tensions?
Speculation abounds that Israel’s threats align with U.S. objectives, particularly under Trump’s hardline stance on Iran. The U.S. has linked its Yemen campaign to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, suggesting a coordinated effort to pressure Tehran. Israel’s alignment with Trump’s policies, evident in their shared skepticism of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, supports this view. Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with some users claiming U.S.-Israel defense collaboration underpins Israel’s aggressive posture.
However, this narrative oversimplifies the dynamics. Israel has its own strategic imperatives, driven by Iran’s proxy network and nuclear advancements. While U.S. support—through military aid and intelligence—emboldens Israel, Jerusalem’s decisions are not merely dictated by Washington. Netanyahu’s government has historically acted unilaterally when perceiving existential threats, as seen in past strikes on Iranian targets in Syria.
An alternative angle considers Israel as a partner in a U.S.-led containment strategy, but with autonomy. The U.S. benefits from Israel’s willingness to confront Iran, diverting attention from American domestic controversies, such as civilian casualties in Yemen. Yet, Israel’s threats also risk complicating U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, suggesting a degree of strategic divergence.
What Impact Could Escalation Have on the Region?
Escalation between Israel and Iran could destabilize the Middle East further. A direct conflict would likely involve Iran’s proxies, triggering retaliatory strikes across Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. The Houthi attack on Israel already prompted U.S. and U.K. strikes, illustrating the potential for rapid escalation. A broader war could disrupt global energy markets, given Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen’s proximity to Red Sea shipping routes.
Humanitarian consequences would be severe. Yemen, already devastated by a decade-long civil war, faces worsening conditions due to U.S. strikes and potential Israeli involvement. Civilian deaths, like the 68 killed in a U.S. strike on a migrant detention center, could fuel anti-Western sentiment, strengthening Iran’s regional narrative. In Gaza, renewed Houthi attacks in solidarity with Palestinians could complicate ceasefire efforts.
Economically, Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, wary of Houthi retaliation, are bolstering defenses. Escalation could deter foreign investment and disrupt trade, impacting global supply chains. Politically, Iran could exploit tensions to rally domestic support, while Israel risks international isolation if perceived as an aggressor.
How Are Middle Eastern Countries Seeing This?
Middle Eastern countries exhibit varied responses. Saudi Arabia, despite its 2023 reconciliation with Iran, seeks U.S. arms to counter Houthi threats, reflecting unease about regional instability. The UAE and other Gulf states monitor the situation closely, fearing Houthi retaliation against their infrastructure. Their reliance on U.S. protection underscores a pragmatic alignment with Washington, though they avoid direct confrontation with Iran.
Iran condemns U.S. and Israeli actions, framing them as “barbaric” aggression. Tehran’s narrative resonates with anti-Israel sentiment in Iraq and Syria, where militias align with its Axis of Resistance. Conversely, Egypt and Jordan, focused on domestic stability, remain cautious, prioritizing mediation over escalation.
The Houthis’ resilience enhances their regional stature, positioning them as a potent Iranian proxy. However, their attacks risk alienating neutral actors like Oman, which hosts U.S.-Iran talks. Overall, Middle Eastern countries are bracing for spillover effects, with Gulf states leaning toward containment and Iran’s allies rallying against perceived Western aggression.
Europe’s stake in securing Red Sea trade routes
Europe’s role is limited but significant. The U.K., a key U.S. ally, participates in strikes on Houthi targets, deploying RAF Typhoon jets. This involvement reflects Europe’s stake in securing Red Sea trade routes, critical for global commerce. However, the U.K.’s detailed justifications for strikes contrast with U.S. opacity, highlighting transatlantic differences in approach.
Other European nations, like France and Germany, focus on diplomacy. The EU has expressed concern over civilian casualties in Yemen and called for de-escalation. Europe’s involvement in Iran nuclear talks, alongside the U.S., positions it as a mediator, though its influence is constrained by U.S. and Israeli assertiveness. Humanitarian aid to Yemen remains a European priority, with NGOs urging restraint to avoid exacerbating the crisis.
From a geopolitical angle, Europe risks being sidelined if tensions escalate militarily. Its economic interests in the Gulf and reliance on Middle Eastern energy necessitate a proactive stance, yet internal divisions and limited military projection limit its impact. Europe’s role thus hinges on diplomatic leverage and humanitarian advocacy, rather than direct intervention.
Strategic deterrence
Israel’s threats to attack Iran reflect a mix of strategic deterrence, domestic politics, and regional power dynamics. U.S. strikes on the Houthis, while tactically significant, have failed to curb their resilience, underscoring the limits of military solutions. Whether Israel acts at U.S. behest or pursues its own agenda, escalation risks catastrophic consequences for the region, from humanitarian crises to economic disruptions. Middle Eastern countries navigate this tension with caution, while Europe’s role remains peripheral, focused on diplomacy and aid. De-escalation through renewed nuclear talks and humanitarian efforts offers the best path forward, though the region’s volatility demands vigilance.
References
-
Al Jazeera. (2025). Houthis | Today’s latest from Al Jazeera.
-
Al Jazeera. (2025). Yemen | Today’s latest from Al Jazeera.
-
Al Jazeera. (2025). Israel’s Netanyahu vows response to Iran after Houthi attack on airport.
-
The Jerusalem Post. (2025). Houthis show persistence amid ongoing US strikes.
-
Reuters. (2025). Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis launch two missiles towards Israel.
-
Al Jazeera. (2025). Animated maps show US-led attacks on Yemen.
-
AP News. (2025). UK military launches airstrikes with US targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
-
Reuters. (2025). Suspected US airstrike hits Yemen migrant centre, Houthi TV says 68 killed.
-
BBC. (2025). Yemen: Dozens of African migrants killed in US strike, Houthis say.
-
The Times of Israel. (2025). US says it hit 800 targets in Yemen since March 15, killed hundreds of Houthis.
-
Vox. (2025). Strikes in Yemen: Is the US sliding into another “endless war”?
-
The Times of Israel. (2025). Houthis raise death toll in Yemen oil port attack to 80; fresh US strikes reported.
-
PBS News. (2025). U.S. strikes Yemen oil port in deadly escalation of Trump’s campaign against the Houthis.
-
CNN. (2025). Yemen’s Houthis vow to continue attacks after more than 70 killed in US airstrikes on port.
-
X Post by @AlexkennedyIran. (2025).
- X Post by @dogeai_gov. (2025).
