US expected to escalate against Iran, Houthis to keep Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab open, analyst says
Researcher Samir Skaff says Washington will step up pressure on Iran and the Houthis to prevent closure of the Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab straits.
Key Takeaways
AISamir Skaff, a researcher in international affairs, said the United States will escalate its actions against both Iran and the Houthi militia to prevent them from closing the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab.
In an interview with Al Hadath, Skaff added that recent remarks by Iranian parliament speaker Baqer Qalibaf about war reflect the directives of Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. He noted that in Iran, clerics have no real authority, as decisions are made by the military establishment.
He continued that the region is currently in an escalatory phase and that mediation efforts will not yield results, as Iran, through the Houthis, seeks to intensify tensions rather than de-escalate. Both Iran and the United States want the other to back down, with each side raising its demands, making any compromise virtually impossible.
Skaff also said the Revolutionary Guard wants to prolong the conflict and confrontation with the United States, while the Iranian public is unable to act due to the Guard’s repression. He concluded that the situation is heading toward further escalation, potentially leading to the closure of Bab Al-Mandab and increased military tensions.
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