Progress with Iran Can Only Be Achieved Through ‘Force’, Experts Warn

President Trump has hinted that a peace agreement with Iran might be on the horizon. He suggested that the supreme leader may give his approval to this deal, which would involve the U.S. lifting its blockade. However, Rebecca Heinrichs, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, expressed doubts. She pointed out Iran’s ongoing harassment in the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear ambitions. Additionally, she raised concerns about the U.S. reportedly downsizing its fleet of fighter jets in Europe right when tensions with Russia are flaring up.

In recent developments, the United States responded firmly to a threat from Iran’s Houthi terrorist group aimed at blocking another waterway in the Middle East. Earlier this week, the group announced a complete ban on Israeli vessels navigating the Red Sea, labeling them as “legitimate targets.” With the Strait of Hormuz losing its role as a primary shipping route, the Red Sea, along with the narrow Bab el-Mandeb waterway, has taken center stage in oil transport from the Middle East to Asia.

Iran’s Activities in Africa Pose a ‘Grave Threat to U.S. National Security’

Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sally proclaimed a total ban on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, declaring all hostile movements as targets. A State Department representative condemned these escalating actions by Iran and its Houthi allies, stating that such provocations are unacceptable and will further raise tensions and disrupt global supply chains. The U.S. plans to collaborate with partners to maintain freedom of navigation in not just the Red Sea, but also the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Houthis appear to be leveraging the current political and economic unrest in the U.S. to create a rift between the United States and Israel. He suggested that these provocations might not succeed if allies maintain their communication and if Israel reacts as it has in the past. He noted that renewed Houthi operations targeting Red Sea shipping could provoke international backlash and potentially lead to coordinated strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Houthi strongholds.

The U.S. Continues to Target Yemen Amid Ongoing Houthi Threats

Amidst these tensions, the U.S. has continued its military actions against Yemen despite threats of an ‘air blockade’ from the Houthis following their missile attack on an Israeli airport. Reports indicate an uptick in violence in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, where a significant fire resulted from an attack that targeted a fuel depot.

Ethiopia Serves as a Regional Anti-Terrorism Buffer

Meanwhile, Ethiopia, though landlocked, is stepping up as an essential U.S. ally against Islamic terrorism in the Red Sea region. With a population of about 130 million, Ethiopia holds the title as the largest nation in the Horn of Africa and plays a critical role as a strategic barrier against Iranian influence stretching from Iran through Sudan.

Bren M. Diriba, a researcher from Ethiopia, commented on the country’s position amidst increasing regional instabilities and stressed that Iran’s threats to the Bab el-Mandeb waterway have turned the Horn of Africa into a militarized zone. This situation is intensifying as Iranian influence injects itself into ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia. He noted that Ethiopia acts as a significant inland security buffer, one whose stability influences the trajectory of these threats.

Iranian Drones Escalate Conflicts in the Region

Despite being allied with the U.S., Ethiopia also has connections to Iran. According to Fitton-Brown, Tehran has offered military assistance during Ethiopia’s internal conflicts, particularly the recent Tigray war. This complicated dynamic raises questions about Ethiopia’s alignment and tactics moving forward.

Diriba explained that Ethiopia’s engagement with Iran is more about strategic necessity rather than cooperation, allowing flexibility to navigate its interests amidst various regional actors. The relationship with the U.S. remains a top priority, balancing interactions with Iran while fortifying alliances with traditional partners.

In this evolving landscape, Fitton-Brown emphasized the strong foundation of the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship, especially regarding counterterrorism efforts, leveraging the complexities in Somaliland without outright recognition of its independence.

Efforts to reach further comments from both the U.S. Army and the Ethiopian government were not successful before publication.