David Randall calls for increased pressure on Iran to counter Houthi threats

Former American diplomat David Randall has called for intensified economic and military pressure on Iran to combat the Houthis in Yemen and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Writing in The Telegraph, Randall argues that neutralizing these groups requires cutting off their primary sources of funding and support.

He noted that Houthi attacks on Yemen’s west coast, combined with strikes on Saudi oil facilities and the East-West Pipeline, represent a deliberate escalation intended to increase conflict costs for Gulf nations and the global economy. The East-West Pipeline is a critical alternative for transporting oil to the Red Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Randall highlighted the strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which handles approximately 12% of global trade. He warned that Houthi threats to maritime safety could disrupt international commerce and drive up shipping and insurance costs. Regarding the recent attack on the Saudi pipeline, Randall noted that while initial reports blamed the Houthis, subsequent information suggested drones may have been launched from southern Iraq by Iranian-backed militias.

On the economic front, Randall observed that sanctions on Iranian oil exports are beginning to impact Tehran’s economy through declining shipments and accumulating stockpiles. He advocated for expanding sanctions to include financial institutions in other countries to further limit Iran’s ability to fund regional allies. In Yemen, he suggested Houthi control over the highlands remains uncertain due to government military advances in Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Taiz, and parts of Al-Hudaydah.