Iran war live: Yemen fighting intensifies; Tehran says ready for US attacks

Yemen’s government has launched a significant military campaign aimed at reclaiming areas controlled by the Houthi movement, the head of the country’s presidential leadership council, Rashad al-Alimi, announced. Al-Alimi framed the operation as an effort to retake territory held by the Iran-backed insurgents, marking an intensification of fighting in parts of Yemen where the group has held sway for years. The Houthi movement, which has received support from Tehran, controls large areas of northern Yemen and has been a central actor in the country’s prolonged conflict. The new offensive signals a concerted push by the internationally recognised Yemeni authorities to reverse Houthi territorial gains. Details on the scope of operations, forces involved, or expected timeline were not provided in the report. Separately, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, addressed Tehran’s posture toward the United States, saying there is no military solution to the dispute between the two countries. At the same time, he warned that Iran would be prepared to resume hostilities if it were attacked, language that highlights Tehran’s willingness to respond to military threats even as it characterises escalation as undesirable. Taken together, the Yemeni offensive and Iran’s remarks underscore a period of heightened regional tension. The developments link localized fighting in Yemen with broader Iran–US dynamics, raising the possibility of further regional repercussions if clashes widen or draw external actors into the conflict.