Houthis Hold Back from Iran War Despite Threats, Surprising Analysts

Three weeks into the Iran war, the Houthis have not resumed Red Sea shipping attacks despite leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi's March 5 statement that the group's 'hands are on the trigger.' Analysts attribute restraint to the Trump-era shipping deal signed last May and domestic priorities around salary payments and basic services. Their ability to disrupt shipping, strike Gulf energy infrastructure, and pressure regional rivals makes them the conflict's most unpredictable actor.