According to recent reports, Iran has facilitated the transfer of advanced anti-ship missiles by conducting secret talks between Russia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This evidence reveals Tehran’s growing military collaboration with Moscow and comes from three Western and regional sources. The Yakhont supersonic missile has the potential to improve the Houthis’ capacity to target commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, thereby increasing regional instability.
The specifics of these covert talks, the relevance of the Yakhont missile, and its effects for regional and international security will all be covered in detail in this article.
What Is the Missile of Yakhont?
One of the most advanced supersonic anti-ship missiles available is the Yakhont, also referred to as the P-800 Oniks. It’s very hard to detect and intercept since it may travel at a speed greater than twice the speed of sound while skimming the sea’s surface. With a range of about 300 kilometers (186 miles), the missile can hit targets precisely.
This missile, if given to the Houthis, would greatly improve their military power. This allows them the ability to hit targets on land and attack ships in the Red Sea, thus endangering Saudi Arabia’s security. The Yakhont is a game changer for regional security, according to experts. It is significantly superior to the ballistic and cruise missiles the Houthis have previously used.
Iran’s Part in the Negotiations
Although Iran’s participation in these negotiations has not previously received much attention, it is essential in acting as an interface for Russia and the Houthis. Tehran has long supported the Houthi movement, giving them military training, weapons, and equipment to use against the alliance led by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Iran’s relations with Russia, which have strengthened in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine, are being strengthened by Iran’s facilitation of talks for the delivery of Yakhont missiles.
Iran may benefit from the missile transfer in a number of ways. Tehran is able to arm its friends in the region more, which gives them a big advantage in their ongoing battle with Saudi Arabia. However, given that both Iran and Russia are becoming more and more isolated from Western powers. This might also be a sign of their developing geopolitical partnership.
Russia’s Motivation for Arming the Houthis
Russia’s decision to consider providing the Houthis with advanced missile systems like the Yakhont may be influenced by broader geopolitical considerations. As Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine, it faces increasing pressure from Western nations. Three sources have suggested that Moscow might be motivated to arm the Houthis as a way to retaliate against Western nations, particularly if they decide to allow Ukraine to use advanced long-range weapons against Russian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously warned that Moscow could provide advanced weapons to the West’s adversaries around the world, similar to those supplied to Ukraine. By arming the Houthis, Russia could be seeking to exert pressure on the United States and its European allies, while simultaneously challenging their presence in the Middle East.
How Will the Houthis Benefit?
For the Houthis, acquiring the Yakhont missile would dramatically increase their ability to disrupt maritime traffic in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple drone and missile strikes against commercial vessels in the region, primarily to show their support for the Palestinians during the Gaza war with Israel. These attacks have already caused significant disruption to global maritime trade, sinking two vessels and forcing others to divert their routes.
The Yakhont missile would allow the Houthis to target ships with far greater accuracy and at longer ranges, making the Red Sea an even more dangerous area for commercial vessels and warships. The potential for these missiles to strike U.S. and European warships in the region has also raised alarms, particularly as these forces have been working to protect vessels from Houthi attacks.
Saudi Arabia’s Concerns
The possible transfer of Yakhont missiles to the Houthis has caused considerable concern in Saudi Arabia. As the primary military force supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government, Saudi Arabia has been fighting the Houthis since 2015. Over the years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in defending its territory from Houthi missile and drone strikes, but the introduction of the Yakhont could complicate their efforts to keep these attacks at bay.
Saudi officials have reportedly conveyed their concerns directly to Russia, and the United States has also raised the issue with Moscow. Despite these concerns, it appears that negotiations between Russia and the Houthis, brokered by Iran, are ongoing. The Saudis, along with their allies, are worried that these advanced weapons will tip the balance in favor of the Houthis, escalating the conflict and increasing the threat to Saudi territory.
U.S. Response to the Situation
The United States is closely monitoring these developments and has expressed its concern about the potential transfer of advanced missile systems to the Houthis. A senior U.S. official described the situation as “very worrisome” and stressed that any efforts to bolster the Houthis’ military capabilities would undermine the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, which is a shared international interest.
The U.S. has already been involved in striking Houthi positions in Yemen, but these efforts have not fully stopped the group’s attacks. The introduction of the Yakhont missile could make the Houthis even more formidable, complicating efforts to protect commercial vessels and U.S. warships operating in the region.