Last month, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force told the head of Hamas’ military wing that Iran will do “whatever it takes” to support them in its war with Israel. Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen intensified attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, prompting U.S. warships to shoot down their drones in self-defense.

Straight Arrow News contributor Katherine Zimmerman argues that military strikes by Iran and its proxies are having a clear effect on the conflict in the Middle East. She asserts that the United States must take more decisive measures to contain Iran’s influence.

The Houthis’ current threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the ongoing attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria, and the general escalation against Israel and the United States by “axis of resistance” members undermine regional security and stability.

This escalation aims to pressure Israel into ending its ground operations in Gaza, as well as to drive the United States out of the region. The American response to it has been largely muted for fear of expanding the Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. military actions have been limited to retaliatory strikes, and to date, no action has been taken against the Houthis. These strikes will not deter further attacks. Iran’s investments in its proxies to contest the American regional presence have clearly paid off, even as Iran denies any role in these attacks.

The United States should hold the groups attacking U.S. forces and interests in the region accountable, but more so, it needs to redevelop its approach to the region to meet this new Iranian challenge.