The Houthi rebels from Yemen have claimed two attacks against Israel within a few hours, signaling the entry of these Iranian-aligned rebels into the conflict in the Middle East, which began a month ago.
Their spokesperson stated in a communication that the Houthis had launched “cruise missiles and drones” towards “several vital and military targets” in Israel. This marks the first time that the rebel group has targeted Israel since the war began on February 28, triggered by American-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The disruption of global maritime traffic due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could worsen with the Houthis getting involved in the conflict. The group had previously carried out numerous attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea between 2023 and 2025 during the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Iran continues its retaliatory strikes in Israel and across the Gulf. The Omani port of Salalah was evacuated after a drone attack, suspending its operations for 48 hours according to the Danish shipowner Maersk.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has threatened to strike American universities in the region after two universities in Iran were damaged by American-Israeli airstrikes. The Guard demands that the U.S. government condemn the bombing of universities before Monday at noon to prevent retaliation.
The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for operations in Iran, which may last several weeks but will not involve a large-scale invasion. Speculation is rife about the deployment of American troops in Iranian territory, with reports suggesting that at least 10,000 soldiers could be sent to the Middle East.
Civilian casualties continue to mount as the war extends its grip. In Iran, at least 12 people were killed in overnight American-Israeli airstrikes, while 11 were injured by missile fragments in central Israel. In Lebanon, tensions have escalated since Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel, resulting in a significant death toll and large numbers of displaced people.
