The news of Iranian mediation for the transfer of the Russian Yakhont land-sea missiles—accurate supersonic cruise missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers, capable of being launched from various platforms, including sea, air, and land—marks a significant escalation in the arms race. These missiles, equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the world, will be extremely difficult to intercept in flight. Their acquisition will position the Houthis as having the most advanced capabilities in threatening the shipping lanes.
These missiles also pose a significant threat to advanced military vessels, including those deployed to protect shipping routes from the Houthis’ aggression. These include the most advanced ships under the command of the American Fifth Fleet, which operates in the region, and other coalition ships tasked with safeguarding maritime traffic.
It seems that Russia is attempting to play a more influential role in the region, by allowing the Houthis to continue menacing the shipping lanes and even posing a credible threat to Western navies and other countries that are helping Ukraine in its war with Russia. In addition, it seems that this transfer may be part of Iran’s compensation for its support of Russia—specifically through the provision of advanced military equipment to Iran’s proxies.
There’s no doubt that the main victims of this arms race will be the countries along the Red Sea, primarily Saudi Arabia. This significant aid may also be an Iranian–Russian countermeasure to recent efforts by the United States and Saudi Arabia to engage with the Houthis in a bid to stabilize the region and stop the damage to the shipping lanes and the instability in the maritime areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
These advanced missiles have the capability to strike strategic land and maritime sites throughout the Arabian Peninsula and threaten vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. We see the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea becoming an arena for great power struggles, with Iran increasingly projecting its influence with the help of its proxies. This not only strengthens Iran’s capabilities but also reinforces its status as a regional power, with the ability to project power in the maritime area being an integral part of the capabilities of a regional power.
The news of Iranian mediation for the transfer of the Russian Yakhont land-sea missiles—accurate supersonic cruise missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers, capable of being launched from various platforms, including sea, air, and land—marks a significant escalation in the arms race. These missiles, equipped with some of the most advanced technology in the world, will be extremely difficult to intercept in flight. Their acquisition will position the Houthis as having the most advanced capabilities in threatening the shipping lanes.
These missiles also pose a significant threat to advanced military vessels, including those deployed to protect shipping routes from the Houthis’ aggression. These include the most advanced ships under the command of the American Fifth Fleet, which operates in the region, and other coalition ships tasked with safeguarding maritime traffic.
It seems that Russia is attempting to play a more influential role in the region, by allowing the Houthis to continue menacing the shipping lanes and even posing a credible threat to Western navies and other countries that are helping Ukraine in its war with Russia. In addition, it seems that this transfer may be part of Iran’s compensation for its support of Russia—specifically through the provision of advanced military equipment to Iran’s proxies.
There’s no doubt that the main victims of this arms race will be the countries along the Red Sea, primarily Saudi Arabia. This significant aid may also be an Iranian–Russian countermeasure to recent efforts by the United States and Saudi Arabia to engage with the Houthis in a bid to stabilize the region and stop the damage to the shipping lanes and the instability in the maritime areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
These advanced missiles have the capability to strike strategic land and maritime sites throughout the Arabian Peninsula and threaten vessels in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. We see the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea becoming an arena for great power struggles, with Iran increasingly projecting its influence with the help of its proxies. This not only strengthens Iran’s capabilities but also reinforces its status as a regional power, with the ability to project power in the maritime area being an integral part of the capabilities of a regional power.