US Emphasis on Holding Iranian Government Accountable and Stopping Houthi Attacks

On Monday, January 1, the Deputy US Representative to the United Nations condemned the Iran-backed Houthi attacks on Israel and called for an end to these assaults. During a Security Council meeting on "Threats to International Peace and Security," Dorothy Shea criticized the "unjustified" Houthi attacks on Israeli territory and the threat to civilian lives, urging the Security Council to take more effective actions to respond to the increasing threats from the Houthis and to hold the Iranian government accountable for the actions of its proxies. She emphasized to Security Council members: "We all clearly see that the Houthis are fully supported and equipped by the (Iranian) government to be able to carry out long-range and deadly attacks against Israel's civilian infrastructure today. The provision of weapons such as hypersonic missiles and other lethal arms by (the Iranian) government to the Houthis violates the arms embargo imposed on this group by this council." The US Deputy Representative stated that the Security Council is responsible for addressing the blatant violations of UN resolutions and the arming of terrorist groups by the Iranian government, adding: "All members of this council, especially those who have direct relations with (the Iranian) government, must pressure Iranian leaders to deter the Houthis from carrying out attacks that endanger civilians." Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN, also warned the Iran-backed Houthis on Monday to stop attacks on Israel for the "last time" before the Security Council meeting. He emphasized that if the Houthis do not cease their attacks on Israel, they will face a "dark fate" like that of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Bashar al-Assad regime, clarifying that his remarks were "not a threat" but "a promise." The Security Council meeting on Monday regarding "threats to international peace and security," including those posed by the Houthis, was convened at the request of the Israeli Foreign Minister from the US, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council. Following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, the Houthis, alongside Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, began their direct attacks on Israel and increased their assaults on ships in the Red Sea. In response, Israel has targeted the military positions of this group in Sana'a and the western coasts of Yemen with heavy attacks, promising to bring them to the fate of other Iranian proxies.