The Houthis in Yemen have emerged as one of Iran’s most visible and consequential regional proxies, stepping beyond a local war to become a key player closely tied to the calculations of an increasingly internationalized confrontation.

As Trump threatens to strike Iran if the authorities move to kill protesters, Tehran has relied on Iraqi militias loyal to it to help suppress demonstrations that erupted across the country on December 28, 2025, sparked by a sharp economic downturn.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats to target leaders of Iraqi factions have raised questions over whether his remarks signal a real danger or are merely for political show—and how Baghdad will respond.

As UN sanctions on Tehran take effect following the expiration of the so-called snapback mechanism, Iraqi political figures are warning of serious repercussions for their country, especially after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hinted at Tehran’s plans to navigate the crisis.

Iranian diplomat Saeed Khatibzadeh has been making headlines for months, not only because he once served as the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman and later as an ambassador, but also because he is regarded as the youngest figure in Tehran’s diplomatic circle.