Drill or Disengagement? Has Iran Abandoned Its Regional Arms?

22nd March 2025

1 minute read

Drill or Disengagement? Has Iran Abandoned Its Regional Arms?

Has Tehran abandoned its regional arms? This question arises following statements by Khamenei, in which he denied any direct relationship between his country and the armed groups allied with it.

On Friday, Khamenei stated that “Iran has no agents in the region, and the groups it supports operate independently.”

Last Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to hold Iran accountable for any attacks carried out by the Houthi militias, which he claims are supported by Tehran.

In this regard, Khamenei added, “The United States must know that if it tries to interfere with Iran, it will receive a heavy slap.”

The remarks of Iran’s Supreme Leader come amid rising tensions in the region, with the U.S. and Iran exchanging accusations over the armed groups allied with Tehran, which are carrying out attacks targeting American interests and its allies.

Since the end of last week, the United States has been conducting an aerial campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, and causing massive destruction to their positions.

Meanwhile, the Houthi militias have continued launching missiles at Israel since the resumption of the war on the Gaza Strip last Tuesday, without causing any casualties.

It is noteworthy that after the outbreak of the war in the sector following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis carried out dozens of missile strikes on Israel and ships accused of being linked to them.