The US and Israel may soon face a new enemy in the conflict with Iran - the Houthis from Yemen, whose active involvement would destabilize maritime routes in the Persian Gulf and create additional threats to American military operations.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Motaba Khamenei expressed gratitude to Hezbollah in Lebanon, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen for their support, suggesting the Yemeni group may soon become an active participant in the conflict.

The Houthis, described as "a military-political movement considered to be part of Iran's Axis of Resistance," had previously disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea in 2024. Regional analysts warn that their active involvement could open additional conflict fronts, potentially endangering Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The Trump administration declared the Houthis a terrorist organization, reversing the decision of the previous administration. Relations between the US and the Houthis have been turbulent recently - with American airstrikes, drone shoot-downs, and temporary ceasefires.