“Until last night, Iran’s hegemonic vision and its use of proxies throughout the region was based on the assumption that the United States and its allies would not use proactive force to deter Iran or its proxies.
“Last night’s proved otherwise sending a strong message not only to Tehran – but all of its partners as well – that the US is resolved to proactively attack those that actively challenge its interests.”
The former intelligence officer noted the Houthis likely represent the most important weapon in Tehran’s arsenal to pressure Washington into getting Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
But with the US openly targeting and striking the rebel group’s infrastructure, they could have to shift their attention away.
He continued: “Within the context of how Tehran is pulling the strings surrounding the war in Gaza- the Houthis are an integral, if not the most integral, component of the Iranian tactic to use its proxies to manipulate the US to pressure Israel to halt its progress in Gaza.
“The last three months have clearly shown that Hezbollah – Iran’s largest proxy – is not interested in engaging Israel in a full-scale war at this time and the Iraqi militias are limited in what they can effectuate against Israel or the US.”
Malamed added: “While until last night the major question reverberating throughout the region was focused on whether the US would meaningfully defend its interests, today that question focuses on Tehran.
“Will Tehran escalate and order its proxies to ramp up their efforts against Israel and the US, or will it protect those proxies by de-escalating at the cost of Hamas and PIJ in Gaza?”
The first wake of raids struck 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets across Yemen.
Joe Biden had warned Friday that the Houthis could face further strikes as he insisted the US and its allies “will not tolerate” further aggression.
And on Saturday US forces struck another Houthi-controlled site in Yemen that it had determined was putting commercial vessels in the Red Sea at risk.
US Central Command said the “follow-on action” early Saturday local time against a Houthi radar site was conducted by the Navy destroyer USS Carney using Tomahawk land attack missiles.
