The United States should not expand the Iran war through direct military intervention against the Houthis

Escalating conflict between Iran, the US, and regional powers centered on Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, military strikes across the Gulf, NATO's response, and broader diplomatic and economic fallout including sanctions, cyber warfare, and the Israel-Lebanon front. The maritime confrontation between the United States and Iran expanded alongside Iranian missile attacks elsewhere in the region. Iran said it targeted ten vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States denied that its warships were hit. Jordan said it intercepted 18 of 20 Iranian missiles directed towards a U.S. base, with the remaining two landing in unpopulated areas without reported casualties.

Diplomatic, economic, and military relations between the United States and Iran, including negotiations, sanctions, and regional tensions within the wider geopolitics shaping the global order.

Houthi forces are attempting to seize the Kahboub Mountains and routes separating the Red Sea coast from government-held southern Yemen. Control of these positions would consolidate their recent territorial gains and obstruct a government counteroffensive. The UN reported nearly 700 deaths and approximately 130,000 internal displacements. Reuters could not verify the report that Donald Trump cancelled planned U.S. strikes.