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WASHINGTON, 17 March – The Western coalition, which includes the United States, Britain, France and other European countries, is preparing to launch new strikes against targets linked to Iran and the Houthis in Yemen.
According to sources, for the first time in a long time, a British, French, and another European warship, as well as two US aircraft carriers, have entered the Persian Gulf. This is a signal of a possible large-scale military operation.
Joint operation: what do we know?
The US National Security Advisor said that Washington is preparing for coordinated strikes on Iranian military targets in Yemen and near the Red Sea.
The purpose of the operation will be:
– Deterring Iranian military activity in the region
– Protecting international shipping, which is constantly under attack by the Houthis
– Destroying Iranian military advisers and reconnaissance ships that help the rebels
The operation was a response to a new wave of attacks by Houthis, who have twice attacked the USS Harry S. Truman and its escort ships in the northern Red Sea over the past 24 hours.
Yemeni Houthis, supported by Iran, not only attack American and Western ships, but also threaten to strike Israeli vessels if the blockade of Gaza is not lifted.
In response, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said that the military campaign would continue until the attacks on international shipping stopped.
“We will not allow the Houthis and their patrons in Tehran to disrupt the security of the region. Our strikes have sent a clear message not only to the rebels, but also to Iran,” Hegseth said.
He also accused Iran of directly supporting the Houthis and stressed that the United States is seeking to break this cooperation.
What’s next?
The deployment of coalition naval forces in the region indicates that new strikes are being prepared that could significantly weaken the Houthis and their allies.
However, there is a growing risk of a direct military confrontation between the US and Iran, which could turn a local conflict into a large-scale crisis in the Middle East.
Will the West be able to curb Iranian aggression without escalation? This question will be key in the coming weeks.
