Spotlight on Iran

Highlights^[1]

• The Iranian president declared that the continuation of the war in the Gaza Strip and the 12-day war between Iran and Israel demonstrate the failure of the international community to ensure peace and security.
• An Iranian commentator on Arab world affairs estimated that Hezbollah’s disarmament is not feasible, and that the Lebanese army is incapable of using Hezbollah’s missiles and drones.
• The IDF attacked a gathering of senior Houthi officials in Sana’a. The Houthis confirmed that the Prime Minister and at least nine of his ministers and other senior officials had been killed. They threatened a “painful” response against Israel and stressed that they would not stop their activities in “support” of the Gaza Strip. Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” organizations strongly condemned the Israeli attack.
• The Houthis claimed responsibility for four drone attacks against Israel and two ballistic missile attacks, one of which carried multiple warheads. The IDF Spokesperson confirmed the interception of a ballistic missile and four cases of intercepting drones. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for attacks on two vessels in the Red Sea. In all cases, no casualties were reported.
• The Houthi leader confirmed that they had begun using ballistic missiles with “cluster warheads” and noted that this is “a very significant qualitative achievement that worries the Zionist enemy.”
• An agreement for research and academic cooperation was signed between Iran and Iraq.

Iran and the Palestinian arena

• Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization conference, referred briefly to Israel’s activity in the region, saying that “the continued massacre of the oppressed residents of Gaza” along with the Israeli and American attacks against Iran in the 12-day war and the expanded use of sanctions against various countries constitute clear examples of the modern world’s failure to create a suitable model for global governance and to establish international peace and security (Iranian president’s website, September 1, 2025).

Iran and the Lebanese arena

• Mohammad-Ali Hassan Nia, an Iranian commentator on Arab world affairs, said that disarming Hezbollah is not feasible and that the “resistance” is the guarantor of Lebanon’s security. Speaking at a conference in Tehran attended by Iranian, Lebanese, and Yemeni experts, which discussed developments in Lebanon, Nia said that after the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, Israel concluded that it had to change its strategy to alter the security equation in Lebanon, while at the same time the United States intervened to change the political equation in the country. Regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament, Nia said that the practical aspect of the plan is unclear, and that even if Hezbollah were to hand over the weapons to the Lebanese army, the army would be unable to use them, since it lacks experience in operating missiles and drones (Mehr, September 1, 2025).

Iran and the Syrian arena

• In a commentary article, the Iranian news agency Mehr strongly criticized the policy of the new regime in Syria and the Turkish government with regard to the continued Israeli attacks in the country. The article stated that since Ahmed al-Shara seized power in Damascus, he has not only failed to calm the political scene and internal tensions but has also proven helpless in the face of external threats, aggravating the problems through his silence and indifference toward the “aggression of the Zionist regime.” Moreover, representatives of the Syrian government are in contact with senior Israeli officials, mediated by the United States and Turkey. At the same time, Turkey, which is considered the main supporter of the al-Shara regime, has taken a soft stance regarding the continuation of Israeli attacks in Syria and has never acted beyond issuing statements by the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. According to Mehr, the main reason for al-Shara’s indifference to the Israeli attacks is not his military weakness, but rather his will and political approach, while Turkey prefers to avoid a direct confrontation with Israel in the hope that the United States will help it manage some of the Israeli threats behind the scenes (Mehr, September 2, 2025).

Iran’s involvement in Iraq

• Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science and Head of the Student Affairs Organization, Saeed Habiba, and Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Science, Haider Abd Dahed, signed a cooperation agreement between the two countries. The agreement discusses expanding cooperation in the field of higher education, developing scientific and research collaborations, and implementing a program to grant mutual government scholarships to students from both countries (Tabnak, August 31, 2025).

Iran and the Yemeni arena

The direct confrontation between the Houthis and Israel

• On August 28, 2025, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked a conference in Sana’a attended by dozens of senior Houthi officials, including those responsible for the use of force and the military buildup of the Houthi regime, and responsible for promoting terrorist activity against Israel. The IDF confirmed that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi had been eliminated along with other senior Houthi government figures (IDF Spokesperson, August 28-30, 2025). Yemeni, Arab, and international media reported that the attack in Sana’a was carried out during the weekly speech of the leader of the Houthi movement, Abd al-Malik al-Houthi, when the senior figures who were attacked gathered to watch the broadcast (Arab and international media, August 28, 2025).

     
Footage from the scene of the attack in Sana’a (Al-Masirah Telegram channel, August 28, 2025)

• Shortly after the attack, the deputy head of the Houthis’ information bureau, Nasreddine Amer, claimed that reports about leaders being targeted in Sana’a were false and that the strike had been carried out against “civilian targets.” He added that Yemeni support for the Gaza Strip and for the “resistance” would not cease until the “aggression” in Gaza is stopped and the “siege” is lifted (Nasreddine Amer’s X account, August 28, 2025).
• However, following the denials, the Houthis confirmed the death of Prime Minister Ahmed Ghalib al-Rahawi, along with 11 government ministers and other senior officials (Al-Masirah and the Houthi movement’s Telegram channel, September 1, 2025):
  • Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office: Mohammad Qasim al-Basi
  • Government Secretary: Zahid al-Amadi
  • Foreign Minister: Jamal Amer
  • Justice Minister: Mujahid Ahmad Ali
  • Industry Minister: Moeen al-Mahaqri
  • Information Minister: Hashim Sharaf al-Din
  • Education Minister: Hasan al-Sa’di
  • Welfare and Labor Minister: Samir Baji’alah
  • Youth and Sports Minister: Mohammad Ali al-Muwallad
  • Agriculture Minister: Radwan al-Raba’i
  • Tourism and Culture Minister: Ali al-Yafi’i
  • Energy Minister: Ali Sayf

     
Houthi movement’s death notices for the Prime Minister and nine government ministers (Ansar Allah Telegram channel, September 1, 2025)

• In addition, “sources” reported that among the dead were two other senior officials who held positions with military characteristics: the Houthi chief of Military Operations, Sakhr al-Sharqabi, and Deputy Interior Minister Abd al-Majid al-Murtada. The report claimed that only four Houthi government ministers remained alive after the Israeli attack (Al-Hadath, August 30, 2025).
• Israeli “security sources” assessed that the Houthi defense minister and chief of staff were also present at the site that was attacked (Israeli media, September 2, 2025). It was also reported that the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs, Jalal Ali Ali al-Ruwaishan, was lightly wounded as he approached the building that was attacked to participate in the meeting. At the same time, the report noted that the Houthis had imposed heavy censorship on the fate of Defense Minister Mohammad al-Atifi and Chief of Staff Mohammed al-Ghamari (Defense Line, September 1, 2025). The two senior officials have not appeared in public. However, in an attempt to refute the reports of their being harmed, statements were published in their names. In a statement attributed to Mohammad al-Ghamari, it was said that “the attack by the Zionist enemy, which targeted civilians in Sana’a Province, will not pass in silence,” and that “the Zionist escalation in Gaza or against Yemen is not a sign of strength but rather a sign of inability and failure to achieve its objectives for nearly two years, and it will be met with escalation” (Saba News Agency, August 29, 2025). In another statement, he expressed condolences over the deaths of the Prime Minister and several ministers and threatened that the response of the armed forces would be “harsh and painful, with effective strategic options” (Houthi movement’s Telegram channel, August 31, 2025). A statement on behalf of the defense minister said that the Houthis would continue to confront “the Zionist enemy supported by the United States,” and that the armed forces are ready on all levels, and the political leadership had taken all measures to confront the “enemy” (Telegram channel of the Houthi Ministry of Defense, August 30, 2025).
• “Informed military sources” said that the Houthis’ response to the Israeli attack “will not be emotional, but qualitative and painful.” The “sources” added that “the [Israeli] government headquarters will not be far away” from the Houthi forces’ fire, and that the Houthis’ target bank may expand, and “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s house and headquarters will not be safe places” (Al-Akhbar, September 1, 2025).
• Following the attack, a “source close to Houthi decision-making circles” reported that the movement’s leadership instructed its senior officials not to gather in public places and not to use the government headquarters. “Well-informed sources” noted that prominent figures in the Houthi leadership had gone into fortified hiding and “disappeared from sight for days,” among them Interior Minister Abd al-Karim al-Houthi and Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau (Asharq Al-Awsat, September 2, 2025).

     
The funeral of the Houthi Prime Minister and the ministers killed in the airstrike (Al-Masirah, September 1, 2025)

• Senior Houthi leaders condemned the Israeli attack and threatened “painful” responses, while making it clear that they would not be deterred and would continue their activities in “support” of the Palestinians and the Gaza Strip. The following are prominent statements:
  • Houthi leader Abd al-Malik al-Houthi said that “the shaheeds of the Israeli aggression are the shaheeds of all of Yemen,” claiming that all those killed were ministers who worked in civilian affairs. He stressed that “the enemy poses a threat to the entire nation” and that “the crimes committed by the enemy in Palestine and the Gaza Strip require a firm stance against them.” He said that sacrifice is “necessary” when working for a “just cause,” and that “this sacrifice will not affect the status of their country and will not lead to calm or weakness, but will only increase steadfastness, determination, and resilience.” He made it clear that they would continue to harm Israel and that their support for the Palestinians would continue in all areas. Al-Houthi said that “the Yemeni people are steadfast and patient, and do not tire or hesitate, and nothing the Israeli enemy does will affect them” (Al-Masirah, August 31, 2025).
  • Mahdi al-Mashat, the chairman of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, said that “the Zionist aggression has failed and will continue to fail.” He added that “our long arm will teach the entity a lesson” and that “the Middle East will not enjoy calm as long as the entity exists” (Al-Masirah, August 28, 2025). In another statement, he promised that the armed forces would continue to build and develop their capabilities and that the attacks would not intimidate the Houthis. Al-Mashat warned the “Zionists” that “our revenge will not fade, and dark days await you because of the deeds of your filthy and treacherous government.” He urged all companies operating in the “occupying entity” to leave “before it is too late” (Telegram channel of the Houthi movement, August 30, 2025).
  • The Houthis’ political bureau accused the Israeli attacks of being a “flagrant violation” of international law. The announcement claimed that Israel had “once again demonstrated its intelligence and military failure and proved the great impact of our actions” (Al-Masirah, August 28, 2025).
  • Mohammad al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, stressed that “this aggression” would not affect the actions of “support” for the Palestinians, which would continue until the war in the Gaza Strip ends (Al Jazeera, August 28, 2025). In another interview, he said that the attack on the government meeting “crossed the red lines” and that “the war has entered a new phase and revenge is inevitable. Our actions precede our words” (Al-Mayadeen, August 30, 2025).
  • The new Houthi Prime Minister, Mohammad Muftah, said that “the Israeli enemy thought that its crime would affect our position, but we will not withdraw.” According to him, “humiliation” is out of the question, and they are willing to sacrifice more and fulfill “our duty.” Speaking at the funeral of senior Houthi officials, he noted that they had entered a “large and influential war,” which was not only military but also economic, and even confronted the United States. He also pledged that the government’s performance would not be affected by the “aggression” (Telegram channel of the Houthi movement; Al-Masirah, September 1, 2025

• Iran and the other “Axis of Resistance” members condemned the Israeli attack in Sana’a and expressed support for the Houthi regime and its struggle against Israel. The following are prominent statements:
  • The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the attack a “terrorist crime.” According to the ministry’s announcement, the international community and the Islamic countries must take serious action to restrain the “Zionist regime” (Tasnim, August 31, 2025).
  • The IRGC also condemned Israel’s attack on Yemen. The organization’s statement said that “the latest crime of the accursed and racist Zionist regime” in the attack on Sana’a constitutes “a war crime against humanity and a clear example of state terrorism and the inhumanity of this diabolical regime.” The announcement also said that “these crimes” would not weaken the jihadi will and the revolutionary determination of the Yemeni people on the path of “resistance” and steadfastness in the face of the occupiers, and that the blood of the shaheeds would further fan the flames of holy rage and awakening against Zionism in the region. The IRGC warned that the “Islamic resistance” in the region, especially the Yemeni people, would provide a decisive and painful response to the “Zionist criminals.” They stressed their stand with the peoples of the region, especially the Palestinian and Yemeni peoples, and noted that they would spare no effort in the struggle against the “occupying regime” and its supporters (Fars, August 31, 2025).
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “the assassination took place in a blatant violation of Yemeni sovereignty, constituting an unprecedented crime that will not deter the Yemeni people from supporting the Palestinians.” He expressed his condolences over the deaths of the senior officials and charged that “the inaction of the United Nations in the face of violations of international law, together with the escalation of the crimes of the occupation, constitutes a threat to peace and security in the world and a danger to all of humanity” (Al-Alam Network, September 1, 2025).
  • The Iranian army said in a statement that “the accursed Zionist regime has once again exposed its barbaric, criminal and inhumane nature.” It also said that the international community is now more aware than ever that this regime poses “a grave threat to humanity that must be restrained immediately” (ISNA, August 31, 2025). Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, said that “the latest crime of the Zionist regime” attests to a deep fear of the expansion of the “Axis of Resistance” and the unity of the peoples of the region in defending “Palestine” and the struggle against the “occupation.” He emphasized that the operation would not harm the determination and revolutionary faith of the brave Yemeni fighters and their belief in resolute support for “Palestine” and the Gaza Strip, and that Iran would continue to support the Yemeni people (IRNA, September 1, 2025).
  • Hamas said in a statement that the attack was a “blatant aggression” against Yemen’s sovereignty and a “blatant violation” of international law. It was also reported that “this aggression,” which is also being used against Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, emphasizes “the danger posed by the entity to the entire Arab and Islamic nation.” Hamas called on the international community, the United Nations, and all Arab and Islamic countries to take responsibility and deter the “Zionist entity” and to stop its “violations against our Palestinian people.” In another announcement after the names of the Houthi fatalities were published, Hamas said that “this pure blood spilled on Yemeni soil mixes with the blood of the Palestinian people and emphasizes the unity of the nations and the danger posed by the enemy to regional and global security and stability” (Hamas Telegram channel, August 28-30, 2025).
  • The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said that the “enemy entity” is well aware that such attacks will never prevent the Yemeni people and their armed forces from continuing to support the Palestinian people and their “resistance.” It was also noted that the death of the Houthi Prime Minister confirms “the unity of blood between the peoples in dealing with the Zionist entity.” The PIJ expressed confidence that Yemen, its leaders, and its people would not hesitate to continue defending the honor of the nation and “punishing the entity for its crimes” (Telegram channel of the PIJ, August 28, 2025).
  • Hezbollah said that “this barbaric aggression is part of the list of crimes committed by the Zionists and exposes the true nature of this enemy.” The organization stressed that “Yemen’s support for Palestine is the true example of steadfastness despite the aggression and siege it is suffering from.” Hezbollah said it is confident that “this aggression will only increase the determination and steadfastness of the Yemeni people and will not deter its leadership from its position in support of the Gaza Strip” (Telegram channel of Hezbollah’s information office, August 30, 2025). In a message of condolences sent by Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem to Houthi leader Abd al-Malik al-Houthi, he charged that “the enemy has committed terrible crimes against those who serve the people.” According to Qassem, the victory will be for “Palestine” and Jerusalem through the Palestinian people, its “resistance,” and the “resistance” in the region, led by Yemen (Telegram channel of Hezbollah’s information bureau, August 31, 2025).
  • Qais al-Khazali, the secretary-general of the Iraqi militia Asa’ib Ahl al-Haqq, expressed his condolences to the Houthi leader for the death of the Prime Minister and ministers “in the treacherous aggression in Sana’a.” He expressed support and solidarity with “the resistance, which fought bravely and heroically and made the most precious sacrifices in support of the Palestinian people” (Qais al-Khazali’s Telegram channel, August 30, 2025).
  • Abu Alaa al-Wala’i, secretary-general of the Iraqi militia Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, said that “the pure blood of the Houthi Prime Minister and his ministers, which was spilled treacherously and unjustly at the hands of the Zionists, is only further evidence of Yemen’s firm position on the side of the oppressed and reaffirms the cruelty of the enemy” (Abu Alaa al-Wala’i’s Telegram channel, August 30, 2025).
  • The Nujaba movement in Iraq said that “the attack by the Zionist entity is an open declaration of war against the peoples of the region and a crime financed by the United States.” The militia stressed that the blood of those killed would not be in vain but would strengthen the determination to accelerate the steps of the “Axis of Resistance.” The militia also stressed its commitment to “stand by the Yemeni people” and called on the masses of the Islamic nation to escalate their positions that reject normalization and support the conflict (Telegram channel of the Nujaba movement, August 31, 2025).
• Since the Israeli attack, the Houthis’ military spokesman, Yahya Saria, has claimed responsibility for six attacks against Israel: four drone attacks on the Kirya in Tel Aviv, Hadera power plant, Ben Gurion Airport, and the port of Ashdod; two attacks on targets in the “occupied Jaffa” area using two ballistic missiles, one of which carried “several warheads.” All the attacks were claimed to have achieved their objectives successfully (Yahya Saria’s Telegram channel, August 27-September 3, 2025). This past week, the IDF Spokesperson reported four separate incidents of intercepting a drone launched from Yemen and the interception of one ballistic missile. No casualties were reported (IDF Spokesperson, August 27-September 3, 2025). It was also reported that at least four ballistic missiles launched toward Israel broke up en route to Israel (Israeli media, August 30-September 2, 2025).
• Abd al-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi movement, in his weekly speech delivered during the Israeli attack in Sana’a, noted that the “cluster warheads” in the “Filastin 2” missiles are “a very significant qualitative achievement that worries the Zionist enemy.” He also referred to the Israeli attacks on military infrastructure in Sana’a on August 24, 2025, claiming they had failed. Al-Houthi accused the “Israeli enemy” of attacking facilities that serve the entire Yemeni people in order to convey the message that “we are striking all of you and there is no difference between one another.” He also charged that “the Israeli enemy is turning doctors and health workers in Gaza into targets for killing” and claimed that “Israel wants to implement in Syria, Lebanon, and the entire Arab world the model of the Palestinian Authority – a body that fulfills its dictates and those of the United States under the guise of security coordination (Al-Masirah, August 28, 2025).

Houthi activity in the maritime space

• The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saria, claimed responsibility for an attack against the “Israeli” oil tanker Scarlet Ray with a ballistic missile in the northern Red Sea. According to him, the ship sustained a direct hit (Yahya Saria’s Telegram channel, September 1, 2025). The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel had reported an unidentified object striking the water near it and that it continued on its way (UKMTO X account, August 31, 2025). The British maritime security company Ambrey noted that “the vessel matches the Houthis’ target profile,” since it sails under the Liberian flag and is “publicly Israeli-owned” (Reuters, August 31, 2025).
• Saria also claimed responsibility for an attack on the MSC Aby in the northern Red Sea using two drones and a cruise missile, claiming the attack was precise (Yahya Saria’s Telegram channel, September 2, 2025). The claim regarding the attack has not been publicly verified.

The pro-Iranian militias in Iraq

• It was reported that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia’ al-Sudani had decided to shelve the proposed Popular Mobilization Forces Law, which was intended to institutionalize the activities of the umbrella organization of the pro-Iranian militias in the country. According to reports in the Kurdish media, the decision was made in light of heavy pressure from the United States to cancel the bill and even threats of American sanctions to be imposed on Iraq if the law is approved by the Iraqi parliament (Rudaw, August 27, 2025).

^[1] The weekly study includes the activities of Iran, the Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen.

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