The IRGC directly guided this week’s Houthi lightning offensive along Yemen’s
Red Sea coast, seeking to open a new front against the United States, Yemeni,
Iranian and regional sources said. By seizing the southwestern port city of
Mocha the Houthis have tightened control over the Bab al‑Mandeb choke point, a
disruption that further narrows global energy supply after Iran’s blockade of
the Strait of Hormuz. Two Iranian sources said Tehran last week ordered the
Houthis to escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia and pledged more funding, weapons
and senior officers; Iran publicly calls the Houthis allies but denies providing
military direction. A regional diplomat briefed in Tehran said IRGC senior
commanders have traveled to Yemen after weeks of strategic talks to oversee and
direct Houthi attacks on Saudi targets.
