NEW: Iran is trying to deter expanded US strikes by signaling that it could escalate against international shipping around the Bab al Mandeb, using the Houthis. It is unclear whether the Houthis would act on the Iranian threats, though the risk is very high.
Other Key Takeaways:
The United States has continued its effort to degrade the Iranian ability to attack commercial traffic around the Strait of Hormuz. The United States has also conducted strikes further inland, the purpose of which is unclear.
The IRGC is trying to send FPV, fiber-optic drones to Lebanese Hezbollah. Such drones have posed a significant threat to Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. The drone hardware derives from Russia and China.
