Iran Directly Helping Houthis Target Red Sea Shipping: WSJ Sources

The Wall St Journal is reporting that, according to its sources, "Iran’s paramilitary forces are providing real-time intelligence to Yemen’s Houthis that the rebels are using to direct drones and missiles to target ships passing through the Red Sea". The direct involvement of Iran in the current spate of attacks on container and hydrocarbon shipping in and around the Red Sea could notably increase political and security risks in the region. While Iranian support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen is well established, the direct support of Iranian paramilitaries for their actions in targeting shipping would be seen as a more conspicuous action by Tehran against the US and its allies.

• WSJ: "The direct involvement by Iranian actors in the attacks raises the stakes for Israel and the U.S., which are eager to contain Tehran’s role in the region, and risks creating a new front in the conflict between Israel and its foes in the region, just as the U.S. is trying to stop it from escalating."
• Although Israel's prime focus at present is on the execution of its war against Hamas, the alleged direct involvement of Iran in aiding the attacks on shipping could see the Netanyahu gov't press for more significant action from the US and its allies in combating Tehran. This in turn risks a further regional escalation.