End of Strategic Patience for Global Powers; Countdown for Attack on Houthi Positions Begins

Following serious threats and warnings from the United States to the Houthis and the approval of a UN Security Council resolution against this group on Wednesday, as well as the insistence of this Tehran-backed group to create sabotage and disruption in global shipping, evidence suggests that global powers are very close to entering a military confrontation phase with the Houthis. The US Ambassador to the UN on Thursday, January 21, referred to the UN Security Council resolution on the need to stop Houthi attacks on ships and called for a global response to this group's threats in the Red Sea. The British newspaper Times also reported on Thursday the possibility of nighttime airstrikes by the United States and Britain on positions of the Houthis linked to the Islamic Republic in Yemen, stating that the British Prime Minister has informed his cabinet ministers about an 'early military intervention' in Yemen. The Wall Street Journal also noted that the military infrastructure of the Houthis in Sanaa is among the potential targets for US and British attacks on this group in Yemen. Simultaneously, the Financial Times reported, citing US officials, that the Pentagon has prepared options for attacking Houthi missile launch sites and weapon depots. Axios also quoted an Israeli military official stating, 'We are very close to a US attack on Houthi positions in Yemen.' Abdul Salam Jahaf, a member of the Yemeni parliament, reacted to the potential attack on the country in a post on X, saying, 'Just two words: We will set the region on fire.' The day before, Abdul Salam al-Houthi, the spokesperson for the Houthi group in Yemen, in response to global calls for stopping attacks on free shipping, stated, 'Anyone who tries to hinder our operations will face a response.' Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense announced on Thursday that around 2 AM, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile towards international shipping lines in the Gulf of Aden, but the missile fell into the water, causing no casualties or damage. CENTCOM confirmed that this attack was the twenty-seventh attack by the Iran-backed Houthis on international commercial shipping lines. The British newspaper Telegraph reported on Wednesday, January 20, citing its intelligence sources inside Iran, that the Houthi group in Yemen has been trained at the 'Khamenei University of Marine Sciences and Technologies' in Zibakenar, Rasht, and that Ali Khamenei personally oversees their activities. The Telegraph specified that Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has played a 'central and personal role' in the Houthis' actions in the Red Sea and has ordered that more weapons and equipment be provided to this rebel group. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also warned the Houthis and the Islamic Republic on Wednesday that the ongoing Houthi attacks supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea would have 'consequences.' The British Defense Minister had previously warned the Houthis that London is considering 'direct action' against this group and that if Houthi attacks on commercial ships do not cease, Britain would undoubtedly respond militarily. US and British naval forces earlier this week thwarted several drone and missile attacks by the Houthis in the southern Red Sea. France is escorting its vessels with interests in the Red Sea. Blinken warned the Islamic Republic that support for the Houthis would have 'consequences.' Associated Press reported an increase in concerns about the onset of a 'full-scale war' in the region. The commander of the IRGC threatened despite calls to stop destabilizing actions: 'We will attack the enemy from afar and near.' A global container shipping giant has warned its customers about a potential 'major disruption.' India is sending its ships with 'escort' around the Red Sea. Blinken is discussing increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza and preventing the escalation of tensions in the region. The Houthis claimed, 'We have guaranteed maritime transport security; the US is a threat to shipping in international waters.' The Houthi attack failed one day after the 'final warning' from the US and its allies.