China, Russia, Iran Join Forces for War Games Amid US-Houthi Clashes
NewsweekMAR 2 2024
Report: US, Iran Held Secret Talks Over Red Sea Attacks
Image copyright: Mohammed Hamoud/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
Continued attacks by the Houthis confirm what Tehran has been saying all along — the Shiite Yemeni group may be politically linked to Iran but it's acting independently. Iran, however, is willing to support the US in its attempt to find a diplomatic solution to instability in the region, if it has finally accepted that it can't win militarily in this case.
Anti-Iran narrative
The failure of these talks proves Tehran is deliberately seeking escalation, believing it will bolster its regional clout. The Houthis rely on Iran politically and militarily, and are just one of the proxies Tehran is using to destabilize the region. The US is willing to use diplomatic channels — in addition to military deterrence — if Iran is open to more talks.