Iran pulls military personnel off Yemen - new tensions with the USA!

Iran pulls military personnel off Yemen - new tensions with the USA!

In significant political development, Iran has withdrawn military personnel from Yemen. According to a report by the British “Telegraph”, which is based on a rank-high Iranian official, this step takes place due to the increased US air strikes on the Huthi militia, which is supported by Iran. The withdrawal is part of a larger pattern in which Iran reduces its military support for "deputies" in the region in order to concentrate on the growing threats from the US government. This information can be found in the article by vienna.at

The tensions between Iran and the USA have increased significantly in the past few days. The Pentagon has strengthened its armed forces in the Middle East, which contributes to an already tense situation. The threat of former US president Trump is particularly worrying that attacks by the Huthi-Miliz could be seen as a direct attack by Iran. The withdrawal of the Iranian military could be seen as a preventive step to avoid escalation if Iranian soldiers are damaged during such attacks.

Iranian foreign policy and regional ambitions

Iranian foreign policy has been focused on the Middle East since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. This strategic orientation was largely shaped by US intervention in Iraq in 2003, which resulted in the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iran used these opportunities to expand its influence in the region. These developments were described by bpb.de in detail.

Rivalry with Saudi Arabia has far-reaching effects on the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Iran strives to end the US military presence in the region and to assert its role as a protective power of oppressed Muslims. In particular, the support for the Huthi militia in Yemen is considered strategically motivated to damage Saudi Arabia and minimize the influence of the United States. These militant relationships are part of a more comprehensive strategy that also includes the support of other groups such as the Hisbollah in Lebanon and military units in Syria.

military capacities and strategic decisions

In order to achieve these geostrategic goals, Iran has massively expanded its rocket program in recent years and has significantly improved its cyber capacities. These military advances and a network of non-state actors are essential components of Iranian security architecture. Decisions about the strategy in the region are made in the Supreme National Security Council, whereby the QUDS brigades are leading military and secret service operations outside Iran

The improvements to the Iranian military skills are in the context of a perceived existential threat from the United States, especially since the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018. This perceived threat has caused Iran to intensify its regional activities and pursue escalation strategies. Despite the internal and external criticism of its politics, the country sees itself as an essential regional power that acts in a state of constant siege

The upcoming withdrawal of Iranian military forces from Yemen could raise some questions about Tehran's future role in the region and at the same time create new opportunities for de -escalation and security. The current situation offers both risks and opportunities for diplomatic initiatives in one of the most complex conflict landscapes in the world.