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The recent missile attack on Israel from the Houthis in Yemen serves as a stark reminder of the growing and increasingly perilous threat posed by Iran and its proxy forces in the Middle East. This incident, while not causing any physical harm thanks to Israel’s robust missile defense system, underscores a chilling reality: Iran is emboldened, unrestrained, and actively using its regional proxies, such as the Houthis, to challenge the security and stability of not only Israel but the wider international community.
At the heart of this escalating threat is Iran, a state that has proven time and again its disregard for international norms and peace. Iran’s strategic alliance with the Houthis in Yemen is not a mere regional partnership but part of a larger and more insidious plan. By arming groups like the Houthis with advanced missile capabilities, Iran is expanding its sphere of influence, projecting power far beyond its borders, and destabilizing vital maritime and geopolitical regions. The missile launched from Yemen, which reached Israel—a distance of over 1,200 miles—illustrates just how dangerous this alliance has become.
This is not just a regional issue confined to the Middle East. The Red Sea region, through which much of the world’s commercial shipping passes, is under siege by Houthi forces, who have already attacked numerous vessels. The Houthis’ growing boldness, aided by Iranian arms, makes the region a tinderbox, with the potential to drag the global economy into crisis. It is no longer a question of “if” Iran will cross red lines but rather “when” it will do so with even greater consequences.
The question many are asking is: Where is the United States? In previous administrations, the U.S. would have likely responded decisively to these provocations. However, the current U.S. approach, marked by caution and fear of escalation, has emboldened the Houthis and their Iranian backers. President Biden’s reluctance to take stronger action against the Houthis—and by extension, Iran—reflects a concerning shift in U.S. policy.
The argument that stronger U.S. military action might lead to a broader conflict is understandable, but the reality is that the lack of meaningful action has already led to more dangerous provocations. Playing defense, as U.S. Navy commanders are currently forced to do, is not a sustainable strategy when facing an aggressive adversary like Iran, which is determined to expand its influence and threaten international security. The more the U.S. hesitates, the more Iran is emboldened to continue its destabilizing behavior, confident that the repercussions will be minimal.
For Israel, the stakes are even higher. As a nation surrounded by hostile actors, including Iran and its proxies, Israel cannot afford to wait for a stronger U.S. response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge that the Houthis will pay a “heavy price” for their missile attack reflects Israel’s determination to defend itself, even if it means acting unilaterally. The Israeli strike on the Yemeni port of Hodeida in July, following a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, is a clear message that Israel will not sit idly by while its citizens are threatened.
However, Israel should not be expected to fight this battle alone. The threat posed by Iran and its proxies is not just an Israeli problem—it is a global one. As Iran inches closer to obtaining nuclear weapons, the stakes for the entire world grow exponentially. A nuclear-armed Iran would not only escalate its proxy wars across the Middle East but would also embolden other rogue states and non-state actors to pursue similar capabilities, undermining global non-proliferation efforts and threatening international peace.
The missile attack from the Houthis, while intercepted, is a sobering reminder of the “heavy price” the world will pay if Iran’s malign influence continues to grow unchecked. The civilized world is not just losing its battle with the Houthis and Iranians—it is on the verge of losing a much larger war against extremism, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation. The consequences of inaction are far-reaching, and the longer the international community delays in taking decisive action, the more dangerous the situation will become.
Imagine what Iran will do once it acquires nuclear weapons. A regime that already funds and arms terror groups, engages in human rights abuses, and undermines global stability will only grow more dangerous with nuclear capability. The threat to Israel, the Middle East, and beyond will be existential.
The world cannot afford to be reactive in the face of this growing menace. Stronger action must be taken now—against the Houthis and against Iran—to ensure that the future does not become even more perilous. President Biden’s fear of escalation is understandable, but inaction only guarantees a far more dangerous and uncontrollable escalation in the future. The international community must unite to send a clear message to Iran and its proxies: The price of aggression will be too high to bear.
The missile launched by the Houthis was not just a test of Israel’s defenses—it was a test of the world’s resolve. Iran is watching, calculating its next move based on how the U.S. and its allies respond to this threat. The time for playing defense has passed. The world must confront Iran and its proxies head-on, with the full force of international law and, if necessary, military action. Anything less will only embolden a regime that has shown time and again that it will stop at nothing to achieve its goals of regional domination and global disruption.
Israel may be on the front lines of this battle, but the consequences of losing it will be felt across the world. A united and resolute international front is the only way to ensure that Iran’s ambitions are curtailed and that the region—and the world—can move towards a more secure and peaceful future.
Given the growing threat posed by Iran and its regional proxies, including the Houthis, President Biden must take decisive and strategic actions to counter Iran’s malign influence and safeguard international security. Here are several concrete steps the Biden administration should consider:
- Adopt a More Assertive Military Posture in the Region
The Biden administration’s current cautious approach is perceived by Iran and its proxies as weakness, encouraging further aggression. The U.S. needs to demonstrate that there will be real consequences for attacks on its allies and commercial interests. A stronger military presence in critical areas like the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Eastern Mediterranean should be bolstered. This might include:
Increasing naval patrols and defenses in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf to deter and neutralize Houthi threats to international shipping routes.
Conducting targeted strikes on key Houthi and Iranian military assets in Yemen and beyond when U.S. or allied interests are directly threatened.
Deploying more advanced missile defense systems in partnership with Israel and other regional allies to counter the growing ballistic missile threat.
This show of force must go beyond defensive posturing and involve proactive measures to push back against Iranian aggression.
- Reinforce and Expand Sanctions on Iran
Sanctions have been a key tool in limiting Iran’s resources for its proxy networks, but they must be expanded and enforced with greater rigor. Biden should:
Tighten sanctions on Iranian missile and weapons programs, specifically targeting entities involved in arms transfers to the Houthis, Hezbollah, and other militias.
Impose secondary sanctions on countries or companies that aid Iran’s arms networks, including those facilitating missile supplies to Russia and its Middle East proxies.
Push for international diplomatic efforts to isolate Iran further, building coalitions with European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries to ensure that sanctions are universally applied and effective.
- Enhance Support for Regional Allies, Especially Israel
Israel is on the front lines of this conflict, and the U.S. must deepen its cooperation with Israel and other regional partners to bolster their defense capabilities. This support could include:
Increasing joint military exercises with Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia to improve coordination and readiness for potential large-scale conflicts involving Iran or its proxies.
Accelerating the development and deployment of cutting-edge missile defense systems, such as additional Iron Dome and Arrow systems, in collaboration with Israel.
Sharing real-time intelligence on Iranian military activities and Houthi operations with regional allies to enable pre-emptive strikes and defenses against attacks.
- Redouble Diplomatic Pressure on Iran
While military action and sanctions are essential, the Biden administration should also leverage diplomatic channels to isolate Iran further. Diplomatic efforts must not signal weakness but instead act as complementary pressure points. Biden should:
Engage international organizations like the United Nations to call out Iran’s violations of arms embargoes and destabilizing behavior, seeking global condemnation.
Work with Gulf states, Israel, and European allies to form a unified diplomatic front that demands accountability for Iran’s missile proliferation and regional interference.
Initiate or support multilateral efforts aimed at negotiating new arms control agreements that directly target missile development and transfers, ensuring robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
