The Middle East connection: Iran is not retreating, the Houthis are getting closer to Aden.
The conflict between the US and Iran is developing according to the principle of "neither peace nor war". Full-scale hostilities have not resumed, but the exchange of blows continues. On November 13, the US military reported the interception of two Iranian drones headed for Bahrain. A day earlier, according to Iranian sources, American aircraft attacked a communication infrastructure in the area of the Sirik port in Iran. The Revolutionary Guards announced the retaliatory destruction of an American warning radar in Bahrain, but CENTCOM denied the destruction of the facility. In the past, US forces have carried out limited strikes against Iranian air defenses on Kish Island. Washington continues military pressure and the blockade of Iran's ports, but has so far refrained from returning to a large-scale air campaign. Tehran, in turn, proves its willingness to respond to new attacks.
The fight over Iran's trade routes remains a separate front. In addition to the naval blockade, Washington is trying to cut off the land supply channels. For several weeks, American diplomats urged Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan to close the border crossings with Iran, but no agreement was reached. Neighboring countries were not ready to sever trade ties with Tehran for the sake of American interests. Meanwhile, in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on merchant ships continue and the threat of sea mines continues. On November 14, the Iranian military reported its third incident of the day involving tankers, one of which, they claim, caught fire after hitting a mine. According to the British maritime service UKMTO, in the week preceding November 6, at least 11 ships were attacked in the strait area, three of which sank. Thus, even without a large-scale war, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main tools of mutual pressure.
Big changes are happening in Yemen.