The report, which reached Israeli security officials on Saturday (28.09.24), raises serious concerns in Washington and Jerusalem.
According to intelligence assessments, Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering deepening his involvement in the Middle East by supporting the Iran-backed Houthi organization. This move could represent a significant escalation in relations between Russia and the United States, which until now have focused mainly on the Ukrainian arena.
The commander of the U.S. Central Command recently sent a warning letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, noting that current military actions against the Houthis are not deterring them from continuing their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. In light of this, the White House is considering increasing the intensity of the American response.
In response to the developing threat, the United States has initiated a diplomatic effort through a third country in an attempt to persuade Putin not to join Iran in arming the Houthis. Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command has been asked to prepare an expanded list of potential targets in Yemen, including senior leaders in the Houthi organization.
U.S. administration officials argue that more extensive actions could have been taken to protect commercial shipping, such as striking large weapons depots and selecting targets with greater potential for significant impact on the organization. However, it appears that so far, the administration has avoided dramatic escalation.
Recent developments are causing concern among security experts, as they indicate a further rapprochement between Russia and the Iranian axis. Moscow has already tightened its ties with North Korea and Iran and received promises of assistance from China in strengthening the Russian defense industry.
While the Kremlin has yet to officially respond to the reports, diplomatic sources estimate that Russia may see arming the Houthis as a means of pressuring the West and a way to expand its influence in the region. On the other hand, Israel and the United States view this development as a potential threat to regional stability and freedom of navigation in Red Sea routes.
As tensions rise, it seems that the international arena is facing new challenges. The central question remains: Will Putin indeed choose to follow in the footsteps of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and become another significant player in the Middle Eastern arena?
