Proxy relationship

How the Houthis went from a small mountain militia in Yemen to a major regional threat - explainer

The Houthis evolved into a formidable fighting force with Iran's support, capable of disrupting vital shipping and striking regional infrastructure. The UN assesses that they have 350,000 fighters.

Supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi movement, brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, in Sanaa on April 8, 2026, following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Middle East war.
Iran-aligned Houthi fighters occupy a firing position in a screengrab from a video said to show Houthi fighters attacking Saudi-backed forces in the location given by the source as al Jawf governorate, Yemen.

Houthi Red Sea advance, drone strikes leave Saudi Arabia isolated in major conflict - analysis

Prime Minister Netanyahu on Mount Hermon, overlooking Syria during a tour briefing him and the Defense Minister Israel Katz on the situation with Syria.

Asserting control in Syria: Netanyahu pledges the defeat of Iran, defense of border from proxies

A boy holds up a toy weapon as he joins Houthi supporters during an anti-Saudi rally amid an escalation with the kingdom, in Sanaa, Yemen, July 31, 2026.

Iran's 'last man standing': Will weakening Houthis put Iran's Middle East plans to bed? - analysis


Loyalty to IRGC may not be worth the cost of sinking with it when it falls - editorial

As the US military buildup increases, Iran tightens its grip on proxy forces across the Middle East. The Islamic Republic prepares for a potential regional confrontation.

An Iranian woman walk past anti-US mural depicting Iran and US negotiation table, painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy, in Tehran on February 6, 2026.

Iran agrees to discuss proxy terror, ballistic missile arsenal in US negotiations - NYT

The talks between Iran and US are still set to focus on Iran's nuclear program and capabilities, NYT noted, citing three Iranian officials and one Arab official.

A banner with a photo of a new hypersonic ballistic missile called "Fattah" and with text reading "400 seconds to Tel Aviv" is seen on a street in Tehran, Iran June 8, 2023

Same network, new names: Terror front Samidoun secretly operates in US, Canada via proxies post-ban

Most of the terror front's proxies were formed to have the same anti-Zionist, anti-US, Marxist-Leninist mission that defined Samidoun’s activism.

A Samidoun flag is flown at a Duisburg demonstration in Germany, October 9, 2023.

Yemeni forces bust Iranian weapons shipment bound for Houthis, including chemical weapons - report

A 750-ton weapon shipment from Iran to the Houthis terror group in Yemen was intercepted, with interrogations of the crew revealing the smuggling lanes that are being used.

Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen July 25, 2025.

Lebanon moves toward disarming Hezbollah as Aoun rejects Iranian intervention

During a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's top security body, Aoun warned against foreign interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani meets with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, in this handout image released on August 13, 2025.

Iraqi police, paramilitary fighters clash outside government building in Baghdad

The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed a government building.

Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attend a symbolic funeral of fellow members of PMF who were killed by U.S. air strikes on the Syria-Iraq border, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 29, 2021.

US-backed Yemeni forces intercept weapons shipment from Iran to Houthis, CENTCOM says

Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF) intercepted an Iranian arms shipment containing 750 tons of munitions and hardware, said CENTCOM on Wednesday.

 Eternity C cargo ship; illustrative

Iran, China, and Russia behind life-threatening operations in UK, British police say

Two senior British police officers warned that Russia, Iran, and China are behind a growing number of life-threatening operations in Britain.

British police officers stand watch at crime scene

Houthis threaten US ships in Red Sea if Trump joins Israel's Iran strikes

The US president has been unclear on whether or not he will decide to strike Iran after nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran reached an impasse.

Houthi supporters burn Israeli and US flags in solidarity with Palestinians and Iran, in Sanaa, Yemen June 20, 2025

Iran scales back its support of proxies to focus on Trump's threat, Iranian officials say - report

Iran reportedly ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen to avoid a confrontation with the US as it continues attacking Houthi assets. 

 A ship fires missiles at an undisclosed location, after US President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group's attacks against Red Sea shipping, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on March 15, 2025.