Iran has been secretly helping arrange talks between Russia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels to send powerful anti-ship missiles to the militant group, according to several Western and regional sources. This deal, which hasn’t been revealed until now, shows how close Iran and Russia have become.
The missiles in question, known as Yakhont missiles (also called P-800 Oniks), are highly advanced and capable of hitting ships with incredible accuracy. If the Houthis get their hands on them, it would allow them to target commercial ships in the Red Sea with deadly precision, posing a serious risk to U.S. and European warships patrolling the area.
Although these talks have been going on for a while, Russia hasn’t officially agreed to hand over the missiles yet. However, discussions between Russia, Iran, and the Houthis are still ongoing. It’s not just about the weapons—this deal could significantly shake up the balance of power in the region.
Houthis’ Aggression in the Red Sea
Since November, the Houthis have been ramping up their attacks in the Red Sea to support Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict. They’ve used missiles and drones to attack ships passing through this crucial waterway, sinking at least two vessels and seizing another. These attacks have forced shipping companies to reroute their vessels, disrupting global trade and driving up insurance costs for ships in the Red Sea.
The U.S. and the U.K. have tried to strike Houthi positions, but despite their efforts, the Houthis continue their assaults. With more sophisticated missiles like the Yakhont, the Houthis would be in an even stronger position to wreak havoc on international shipping.
Russia’s Involvement
The Wall Street Journal reported back in July that Russia was considering sending these missiles, but it wasn’t known until now that Iran was acting as the middleman. Russia has provided these same Yakhont missiles to Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group, in the past. So, this deal with the Houthis isn’t entirely new territory for them.
The talks between Russia and the Houthis reportedly began under Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and multiple meetings have taken place in Tehran this year. The Yakhont missiles have a range of about 300 kilometers (186 miles), which would give the Houthis the ability to hit targets far beyond their usual reach.
While Iran doesn’t want to be openly involved in the deal, they’ve been quietly brokering the talks behind the scenes. This development is raising alarm bells for Western and regional powers alike, as they see it as a significant threat to peace and security in the region.
What’s at Stake?
If this missile transfer goes through, it could be a game-changer for the Houthis. Experts say the Yakhont missiles are far more advanced than anything the Houthis have used before. They could target not only commercial ships but also U.S., British, and Saudi warships. These missiles could even be used to strike land targets, posing a serious threat to Saudi Arabia.
With tensions already high due to the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea, this new weaponry would only make things worse. The United States and Saudi Arabia are particularly worried about the impact this could have on regional security. U.S. officials have been discussing the issue with Saudi leaders and have even raised it with Russia, but so far, no resolution has been reached.
Why Russia Might Help the Houthis
There’s a lot of speculation about why Russia is considering helping the Houthis. Some sources say it’s connected to the ongoing war in Ukraine. As Western countries continue to support Ukraine with weapons, Russia may be looking to arm the Houthis as a way to create pressure in another part of the world. By giving advanced weapons to the Houthis, Russia might be trying to send a message to the West that they can make life difficult for their adversaries in the Middle East.
Russia is also playing a delicate game by trying to hide the missile transfer from detection. If they decide to go through with the deal, they would need to train the Houthis on how to use the missiles and figure out a way to secretly transport them, without U.S. forces intercepting or destroying the weapons.
What Happens Next?
For now, the deal is still in the negotiation stage, but the consequences of a transfer would be dire. Both the United States and Saudi Arabia have expressed serious concerns, and the threat of increased Houthi attacks in the Red Sea is very real. With such advanced missiles, the Houthis could cause even more damage, potentially drawing more countries into the conflict.
This missile deal is more than just a military transaction—it’s a signal that the alliances and power dynamics in the region are shifting. Russia and Iran are growing closer, while the Houthis gain more firepower to challenge the West and its allies in the Middle East. The world will be watching closely to see what happens next.
