Iran, attempting to strengthen the Houthis, their proxies in Yemen, is reportedly acting as a go-between between the Houthis and Russia in order for the Russians to send anti-ship missiles to the Houthis.

Russian Yakhont missiles, with a range of roughly 190 miles, would enable the Houthis to increase their accuracy in targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and U.S. and European warships in the area. Russia has already supplied Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, with those missiles. “The Yakhont is considered one of the world’s most advanced anti-ship missiles, designed to skim the sea’s surface to avoid detection at more than twice the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept,” Reuters noted.

“Russia is negotiating with the Houthis for the transfer of Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles,” an intelligence source told Reuters. “The Iranians are brokering the talks but do not want to have their signature over it.”

Fabian Hinz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said if the Houthis acquire the Yakhont missiles it would represent a “game changer” for regional security, contending, “The P-800 is a far more capable system than the anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles the Houthis have used so far.”

“The Saudis are alarmed. We are alarmed, and other regional partners are alarmed,” a senior U.S. official warned. “The Houthis are already creating enough damage in the Red Sea, and this would enable them to do more.”

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“Defeating the Houthi antishipping campaign in the Red Sea and fully reopening that vital sea lane will require more than air-defense picket ships operating in a self-defense mode. It will require the capabilities of the full joint force, with naval forces in the lead,” retired Captain Pete Pagano of the U.S. Navy wrote this month, adding:

Since October 2023, almost immediately after the Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers and the air wing on board the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) have been taking action against Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea. These ships and aircraft have downed hundreds of missiles and drones as well as hit targets ashore in retaliatory strikes. However, the Houthi flow of missiles and drones by their chief benefactor Iran remains largely unimpeded, though there have been some success in interdicting seaborne shipments.