The Iranian war continues along its various fronts. In reality, it is called an Iranian war because Iran was its source when Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023; when it mobilized its other proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen to provide support; and when it responded to the anticipated Israeli-American attack by targeting fellow Arab states in the Gulf and waging a new form of “oil weapon” against the global economy and the economies of Arab countries.
In fact, the war has not entered a path toward de-escalation despite mediators’ efforts. Tehran and Washington have continued exchanging threats on the Strait of Hormuz front, where the United States maintains a comprehensive naval blockade of Iranian ports as part of a strategy of severe economic pressure on Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran has devoted its efforts entirely to the Lebanese, Iraqi, and Yemeni arenas, where non-national militias have fueled both civil and regional wars after investing enormous efforts in undermining the internationally recognized nation-state.
Now, the “Yemeni moment” is moving in the opposite direction, toward restoring the legitimate political authority to its rightful position and sovereignty, one that does not permit armed political entities to control territory outside the framework of the state and its authority.
Yemen is now divided between the internationally recognized legitimate government - acknowledged by the United Nations, the Arab League, and the rest of the world - and the Houthis, who occupy another front. This situation places Yemen on the first step toward enabling the state to restore not only its sovereignty, but also, ultimately, Yemeni unity once again.
The Yemeni leadership now stands at the heart of this historic moment in reclaiming Yemeni identity. Saudi Arabia’s leadership has stood firmly and honorably beside the Yemeni state, ensuring its survival through a framework of partnership among Yemenis, including members of the Southern Transitional Council. These parties now need to engage in dialogue about the future position of southern Yemen within the Yemeni nation-state while preserving a unified national Yemeni state.
A unified Yemen, together with the Arab Coalition, is now confronting the Houthis, who have appointed themselves guardians of international trade, the Red Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in order to affirm the right of all Yemenis to a free, independent state capable of freeing itself from disastrous dependence on Iran.
As has happened repeatedly since the outbreak of Iran’s regional wars, Tehran has encouraged the Houthis to carry out indiscriminate attacks against the resilient Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as other Arab countries, using missiles and drones. This confrontation exposes Iran’s opposition to the Arab nation-state through militias operating outside legitimate authority. It also calls for a unified Arab position in support of Yemen’s legitimate government, building on the multinational defensive maritime coalition established on July 30, 2026.
The confrontation in this Yemeni moment requires steadfast support for the legitimate authority as a prelude to a unified Arab stance against militias aligned with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which claims the right to reshape the Middle East according to an expansionist Iranian vision.
In reality, the battle for Yemen represents a decisive moment in Iran’s war and its ambitions toward the Arab region. At the forefront stand the legitimate government and the steadfast Yemeni people.
Those familiar with Yemen know that when an Arab visitor arrives there, Yemeni companions often greet them by saying: “Welcome to your first homeland.” It is a direct reminder of the earliest roots of the Arab nation.
Before Arabization and interaction with other peoples, the original Qahtani Arabs inhabited this land. Today, Yemenis may tell Arab visitors: “Welcome to your second homeland.” Such greetings reflect remarkable generosity, warm hospitality, and conversations marked by both friendliness and grace.
The current battle marks the beginning of reclaiming an Arab state from Iran’s grip. Iran has fought its conflicts on the shoulders of Arab countries that struggled for decades to build and lead modern nation-states.
While Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in supporting this effort, broader backing is needed from Arab and Islamic countries under the umbrella of the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the alliances they represent.
