Building up on days of increasing Houthis aggression in the Gulf, especially near the Yemeni port and against Saudi Arabia, speculations are high that the United States may be planning a big operation against Iran's proxy. Adding to these speculations are five developments that have reportedly surfaced, hinting that the United States may be once again planning to resume fight or open another front with Iran rebels, especially after Houthis launched a major drone and ballistic missile strike, targeting infrastructure in Riyadh on Saturday.
- The first one is US President Donald Trump cutting short his visit to Camp David and returning to the White House late night Saturday, suggesting he might chair some crucial set of meetings.
- The second is a video that has surfaced on social media showing a U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber was filmed taking off from RAF Fairford with full afterburners on Saturday night. Afterburner takeoffs typically mean the jet is heavy — often indicating a full weapons load — though they can also happen on training runs.
- Fairford has been the main base for Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iranian targets since March, with roughly a dozen B-1Bs still stationed there.
- The third is Iran issuing a 'Code 100' — the highest alert level issued for all armed forces in Tehran.
- The fourth is the United States issuing an alert to Americans to exercise caution in Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, and Lebanon. It has also alerted all its embassies in the Gulf.
- The fifth is according to CNN, which is also reporting that the United States is preparing a large-scale military operation against Yemen's Houthis in retaliation for their strikes on Saudi Arabia. A Camp David meeting was reportedly held to review Yemen strike options shortly before Trump left for the White House.
Earlier today, CNN National Security Analyst Alex Plitsas said in a post on X that he had been told Trump’s meeting at Camp David was intended to “deliberate and review Yemen strike options”, adding that US embassies across Middle Eastern countries were likely to face retaliatory strikes and had subsequently issued warnings.
"As I said last night, was told that the POTUS meeting at Camp David was to deliberate and review Yemen strike options. Today, U.S. embassies in Middle Eastern countries that are likely to be targets of retaliatory strikes issued warnings. Now POTUS head to the White House early," Plitsas said in the post.
Trump Early Return To White Amid Hightened Tensions
Trump's early return to Washington comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions across West Asia, with concerns over possible retaliatory attacks and further military escalation involving Iran, Yemen and US interests in the region.
Houthis Aggression Against Saudi Keeps Middle East on Edge
Tensions involving Yemen have further complicated the regional security picture. Saudi Arabia has said that Iran-backed Houthi forces attempted an attack on Riyadh using ballistic missiles, which Saudi forces intercepted. The Houthis, according to the account provided, said they had targeted "sensitive sites" but did not specify the locations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also previously warned about the threat posed by the Houthis, saying, “If it weren't for our fear for the innocent people of Yemen, we would have conquered it in one week and eliminated the Houthis.”
CNN has previously reported on US military preparations and discussions over possible further strikes, while noting that the scope and timing of any potential action could change.
US Missions in Gulf on Alert
The reported Camp David discussions come as US diplomatic missions in the region have issued security warnings to Americans. The State Department's current regional guidance tells US citizens in the Middle East to monitor embassy and consular alerts and warns that the security environment can change rapidly.
The warnings are particularly significant in countries such as Saudi Arabia, where the US State Department says there remains a threat of Iranian drone and missile attacks as well as threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.
The latest developments follow an escalation in rhetoric from Tehran. Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei, speaking to Al Jazeera, said that Iran remained in contact with Qatar as a mediator and had conveyed conditions to Washington for ending the war.