US pressures Austria to withdraw visa for Iran nuclear chief attending IAEA meeting

In recent events, Iran's involvement in the Houthi offensive in Yemen has come to light following the rebels' seizure of the Red Sea coast. Sources in Tehran, Aden, and Cairo revealed a plan by Iran to use the conflict as a pressure point against the US. The central figure in this operation is Abdul Reza Shahlai, a high-ranking commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, also known as the Shadow Man.

The US has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information on his activities. Shahlai was present at the ground and directly involved in the offensive. Other IRGC operatives also played a role in overseeing the operations. The latest escalation began in July, following Saudi aggression against Sanaa airport, with many operatives arriving on a Mahan flight.

The Houthi advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast was carried out with direct guidance from the IRGC, aiming to open another front in Iran's war with the US. This operation enables the Houthis to seize Yemen's western coast, including the strategic island of Perim, which divides Bab Al Mandeb, a crucial maritime chokepoint. Iran, as the main supporter of the Houthis, benefits the most from this development.

Iran's involvement in Yemen coincides with stalled US-Iran talks and Iran's economic pressure. The Yemen and Iran files are closely interconnected, with both countries' coordination increasing significantly since the war on Iran. Iran has effectively gained control over two of the world's most important straits by influencing the Houthis in their military operations and determining their targets.