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

New Iranian 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 part of Iran's Axis of Resistance", previously disrupted commercial traffic in the Red Sea in 2024. Regional analysts warn that their active involvement could open additional conflict fronts, potentially threatening Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Trump administration designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization, reversing the previous administration's decision. Relations between the US and Houthis have recently been volatile - with American airstrikes, drone shootdowns and temporary ceasefires.