Yemeni Government Forces Launch "Recapture War," Iran Issues Strong Statement on US-Iran Situation, Claims to Extend Missile Range

Recently, influenced by the spillover of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Houthi armed forces in Yemen and Saudi Arabia have been continuously attacking each other. On the 4th, the Yemeni government announced the launch of military operations to reclaim areas recently controlled by the Houthis. Iran, on the other hand, expressed its willingness to promote dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia to resolve the conflict.

Additionally, on the 4th, another tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Iran's current focus is on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, and the US needs to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of the strait.

In response to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Iran stated that any acts of aggression would be met with a heavier counterattack, and the Iranian military also announced that it has decided to enhance the range of its missiles.

Escalation of the situation in Yemen

Iran expresses willingness to promote dialogue between the two sides

On the 4th local time, the military spokesperson for the Houthi armed forces, Yahya Saree, issued a statement saying that the organization launched missile and drone attacks on two facilities of Saudi Aramco located in Riyadh and Khurais. The Houthis previously stated that Saudi Arabia had carried out a series of airstrikes in Yemen's Al-Jawf province that day.

The day before, the Houthis also claimed to have used ballistic missiles and drones to attack an oil facility in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in response to recent Saudi attacks. The Saudi-led coalition responded that the Houthis' claims were "misleading" and aimed at diverting attention from their losses.

On the 4th, Rashad Mohammed Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and supreme commander of the armed forces, delivered a televised speech through Yemeni national television in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, stating that after weeks of military mobilization, the Yemeni government officially launched a large-scale military operation to reclaim areas recently controlled by the Houthis. He has ordered the armed forces, security departments, and allied military forces to begin executing combat plans.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Baghaei, stated at a press conference on the 4th that the solution to the Yemeni issue is not to escalate economic blockades or bombings. Iran believes that the Houthis and Saudi Arabia should engage in dialogue based on the previously agreed peace roadmap, and Iran "is willing to provide all assistance to promote this process."

Another tanker attacked in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran states focus remains on the strait issue

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office reported on the 4th that a tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The report stated that the tanker was hit by an "unknown projectile," causing damage to the cabin, but the crew is safe, and no reports of environmental impact have been received so far.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei stated that Iran's current focus is on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz. During a brief visit to Qatar, Iran conveyed its position to the mediator Qatar: ensuring the safety of the Strait of Hormuz or restoring the safety of this waterway requires the US to take concrete measures, including stopping interference with Iranian commercial shipping, lifting sanctions, and other interventionist measures.

Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ghalibaf also stated that despite the US having another narrative, the US has recently made some suggestions through intermediaries. The US must realize that the era of imposing unilateral demands through a war of attrition is over. Iran's position is clear and firm: the Strait of Hormuz will never be opened until the seven conditions proposed by Iran based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are met.

Iran takes a hard stance on US-Iran issues

But states it has not abandoned diplomatic means

According to Iranian sources on the 4th, Iranian military spokesperson Akraminia stated in an interview that the Iranian military has decided to enhance the range of its missiles. Akraminia said that the reason for this decision is that Iran has learned "lessons" from its conflicts with the US and Israel.

On the 4th local time, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Iran, stated that Iran takes diplomatic avenues and national defense seriously, and if the enemy again resorts to military confrontation, Iran will respond with a tougher stance. On the other hand, if the enemy seeks diplomatic avenues, Iran is also ready to seek a just resolution to end the war through diplomatic means.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei also emphasized that although Iran believes the chances are slim, it has never abandoned the use of diplomatic means to prevent the escalation of tensions and achieve peace. However, the reality is that past experiences and the actions of the US indicate that the other side has not taken diplomacy seriously. Therefore, the Iranian armed forces remain vigilant at all times, ready to repel any foreign forces' incursions.