Turkish Expert: Iran's "Cowardice" a Strategic Asset for Israel Amid Regional Gains
A Turkish expert suggests that Israel is signaling to Iran its capability to strike its proxies anywhere, but paradoxically, Iran is emerging stronger, largely due to the Houthi achievement in the Bab al-Mandab strait. The expert, identified as Şahin, believes that while former US President Trump maintains a certain quiet regarding Houthi advances in Yemen, he is simultaneously creating space for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. However, Şahin assesses that in the broader regional balance, Iran is actually strengthening, primarily citing the Houthi control over key areas along the Yemeni coast and Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab strait. This strategic foothold grants them significant leverage over one of the world's crucial shipping lanes.
The Houthi expansion along Yemen's western coast, including the capture of Perim Island (also known as Mayun) and the town of Dubab, following their earlier takeover of the port city of Mocha, is seen as strategically timed. Perim Island sits at the heart of the Bab al-Mandab, a narrow strait approximately 29 kilometers wide, effectively dividing maritime traffic into two channels. Control of the island and adjacent coastline empowers the Houthis not only to launch missiles and drones at ships but also to deploy shorter-range weapons and exert pressure on maritime traffic. The Bab al-Mandab is a critical chokepoint for global trade, connecting the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, with roughly 10% of global maritime trade passing through it under normal circumstances.
In essence, while Israel attempts to project strength by demonstrating its ability to strike Iranian proxies universally, the developments in Yemen indicate that Iran and its allies are effectively capitalizing on the regional situation to shift the balance of power in their favor.
