Saudi Arabia is at the center of an escalating conflict that directly involves Iran and its allied groups in the region. The kingdom faces continuous attacks from Tehran and forces aligned with the Iranian government, in a confrontation that has been intensifying in recent times.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group that controls much of northern Yemen, have resumed their military operations with greater intensity. The rebels have again advanced into Yemeni territory and intensified attacks against Saudi positions, posing a direct threat to the kingdom's security.
The situation became even more concerning for Riyadh and the international community after the Houthis managed to capture strategic positions bringing them closer to one of the world's most important maritime passages. This advance puts vital global trade routes at risk and significantly raises the stakes in this regional conflict.
This explainer seeks to analyze the reasons that transformed Saudi Arabia into the epicenter of a potential larger war between Riyadh and Tehran, at a time when tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate and concern international powers.
