Iran Applauds Houthis for Israel Attack, Yet Keeps Distance to Avoid Blame
In a surprising yet calculated move, Iran has publicly expressed its support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who launched a ballistic missile attack on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel in recent days. While Tehran has not explicitly claimed responsibility for the attacks, its congratulatory remarks have raised eyebrows and sparked concerns about the escalation of regional tensions.
The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been fighting against the Yemeni government and its Gulf Arab allies for years. In a significant escalation, the group claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile attack on the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, and a military base in Israel, citing their desire to retaliate against the Gulf state’s support for the Yemeni government.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry swiftly released a statement praising the Houthi rebels for their "brave" actions, saying that the attacks were a "just response" to the UAE’s support for the Yemeni government. The statement emphasized that Iran’s support for the Houthi rebels was "firm and unwavering," while avoiding any direct claim of responsibility for the attacks.
This carefully calibrated response from Iran reflects the country’s complex and nuanced approach to the ongoing conflict in Yemen. On one hand, Tehran has long been accused of providing financial, military, and political support to the Houthi rebels, who share Iran’s Shia ideology and are seen as a key proxy in the country. On the other hand, Iran has also sought to maintain a distance from the Houthis to avoid being directly blamed for their actions and to prevent a wider regional conflict.
By congratulating the Houthis for their attacks while keeping a safe distance, Iran appears to be walking a fine line between asserting its support for the rebels and avoiding responsibility for their actions. This strategy allows Tehran to maintain its influence over the Houthi rebels while also avoiding direct blame from the international community.
The recent attacks have sparked widespread condemnation from the international community, with the United States, the European Union, and other Western powers urging restraint and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UAE and Israel, which have been targeted by the Houthi rebels, have also issued stern warnings against further attacks.
Despite the tensions, Iran’s support for the Houthi rebels is unlikely to waver in the near future. The rebels have been a key component of Iran’s strategy in Yemen, allowing Tehran to exert influence over the country and counterbalance the influence of its regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
As the conflict in Yemen continues to escalate, Iran’s carefully calibrated response to the Houthi rebels’ attacks highlights the complexity and nuance of Tehran’s approach to regional affairs. While the international community remains wary of Iran’s intentions, Tehran appears to be content with its current strategy of providing support to the Houthis while avoiding direct blame for their actions.