Houthis Hold Fire for 19 Days as Analysts Debate Tehran's Restraint Signal

The Houthis have maintained a near-total pause on Red Sea shipping attacks for 19 days despite the broader Iran war, surprising analysts given their pre-war force repositioning along the Hodeida and Hajjah coasts. Analysts cite a possible deal with Washington, Riyadh-brokered restraint, and strategic patience pending a Tehran activation signal. A Stimson Center analysis frames this as an existential decision for the group: join Iran's war and risk losing hard-won political gains, or preserve their domestic position.