{
  "id": 7299896,
  "title": "Shadow Man, IRGC flight and a secret meeting: Iran’s hand in Houthi offensive revealed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/shadow-man-irgc-flight-and-a-secret-meeting-irans-hand-in-houthi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T10:49:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/14/shadow-man-irgc-flight-and-a-secret-meeting-irans-hand-in-houthi-offensive-revealed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Less than a week after Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized the Red Sea coast , Iran’s hand in the offensive is coming to light. Sources in Tehran, Aden and Cairo who spoke to The National in recent days detailed a plan by Iran to use the conflict in Yemen as a new pressure point in its war with the US . From a field operative wanted by Washington to a joint operations room, a secret regional meeting and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran's IRGC led Houthi offensive in Yemen, with Abdul Reza Shahlai as key commander",
    "US offers $15 million reward for Shahlai's information, known as Shadow Man",
    "IRGC's involvement enables Houthis to seize Yemen's western coast and strategic Perim island"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Iran says US blocked nuclear chief from Vienna atomic agency meeting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/iran-says-us-blocked-nuclear-chief-from-vienna-atomic-agency-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-14T09:09:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Shadow Man, IRGC flight and a secret meeting: Iran’s hand in Houthi offensive revealed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/shadow-man-irgc-flight-and-a-secret-meeting-irans-hand-in-houthi-7304054",
        "published": "2026-09-14T10:49:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Iran denounces Austria for blocking its nuclear chief from a meeting in Vienna",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/iran-denounces-austria-for-blocking-its-nuclear-chief-from-a-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:31:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Iran nuclear chief blocked from Vienna meeting by US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/iran-nuclear-chief-blocked-from-vienna-meeting-by-us",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:32:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "US blocks Iran nuclear chief from Vienna meeting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/us-blocks-iran-nuclear-chief-from-vienna-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:42:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Iran nuclear chief barred from IAEA meeting, Tehran blames US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/iran-nuclear-chief-barred-from-iaea-meeting-tehran-blames-us",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:46:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "US blocks Iran’s nuclear chief from Vienna meeting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/us-blocks-irans-nuclear-chief-from-vienna-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:57:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Iran protests as US prevents its nuclear chief attending IAEA meeting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/iran-protests-as-us-prevents-its-nuclear-chief-attending-iaea-meeting",
        "published": "2026-09-14T12:46:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "US pressures Austria to withdraw visa for Iran nuclear chief attending IAEA meeting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/us-pressures-austria-to-withdraw-visa-for-iran-nuclear-chief",
        "published": "2026-09-14T13:34:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}