Iran has ordered its military personnel to leave Yemen, effectively cutting off direct support to the Houthi rebel group, British news outlet The Telegraph reported. The move comes as the United States continues daily airstrikes against the Iran-backed fighters.
A senior Iranian official told the newspaper that the decision aims to prevent a direct confrontation with the U.S., especially if an Iranian soldier were to be killed.
According to the official, Iran’s leaders are also holding fewer discussions about regional groups like the Houthis and their attention is now focused on how to respond to U.S. threats.
“After [Hassan] Nasrallah and [Bashar al-] Assad fell, the prevailing view here is that the Houthis cannot survive much longer — they have months, maybe days,” the official was quoted as saying.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated following Washington’s recent designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The announcement, made on March 4, was swiftly followed by a large-scale bombing campaign that began on March 15, with U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi missile systems, air defenses, and drone launchers.
In response, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region. Aircraft carriers have moved closer to the Gulf, and at least six B-2 bombers—capable of carrying nuclear weapons—have been deployed to Diego Garcia, a U.S. base strategically positioned within range of both Yemen and Iran.
At least six U.S. B-2 bombers are now stationed at Diego Garcia air base in the Indian Ocean. This is important because the B-2 is the only aircraft that can deliver the massive GBU-57, one of the only bombs that can destroy Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz and Fordow.
🧵 1/6 pic.twitter.com/cuIokDRqbh
— Naftali Hazony (@nhazony) March 31, 2025
Iran, in turn, has reinforced its defenses, deploying missiles and infantry to the Persian Gulf islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.
The IRGC has deployed Advanced Air and Coastal Defense Missile Systems on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa — three strategically critical islands located west of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to IRGC Naval Commander Ali Reza Tangsiri, Iran now possesses the capability… pic.twitter.com/kcoWDE4iEK
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) March 24, 2025
