Donald Trump should be praised for taking on Iran — now he must do four crucial things

Since the end of Hassan Rouhani's presidency in 2021, Iran has increasingly relied on threats and the use of its nuclear program as leverage,

Behrooz Bayat, a former adviser to the IAEA, told DW

Alongside pro-Iranian groups in Iraq, the Houthi rebels are one of Iran's last active proxy groups in the region,

said Hamidreza Azizi, an Iran expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP).

We don't know exactly what the letter says. But the signals from Tehran are contradictory,

said SWP expert Azizi

Rafael Grossichief

Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state enriching to this level, causing me serious concern,

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said at the beginning of March

Abbas Araghchiiranian Foreign Minister

While Khamenei continues to reject direct talks with the US, Tehran apparently wants to keep the door open for indirect negotiations,

she said, pointing to a recent statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

There are two options: military action or a negotiated solution,

Trump said in an interview with US broadcaster Fox Business Network

If this strategy is continued, there could be a further escalation. However, such a step would be extremely risky. But it cannot be completely ruled out,

he added

Based on the talks in Iran that I am following, it seems some decision makers in Tehran want the Houthis to react to any US attack with a firm response and not show weakness, ... In their eyes, Tehran would lose its strategic counterweight against the US in the event of a military defeat of the Houthis. And the next stop could be a direct attack on Iran."

she said, adding

(The ... The U.S.) is threatening Iran and hitting Yemen. Now all scenarios are possible. We will do what they will do to us. If they are hitting us from (U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S.) Truman, we will retaliate by hitting Truman,

the Houthi foreign minister said

There will be no talk of any dialling down of operations before ending the aid blockade in Gaza. Iran is not interfering in our decision but what is happening is that it mediates sometimes but it cannot dictate things,

Amer said, in his first comments on the issue to a foreign news agency

Now we see that Yemen is at war with the U.S. and that means that we have a right to defend ourselves with all possible means, so escalation is likely."

he said, but added

If any aircraft or base is used against us then we will escalate and we will defend ourselves, but if they (Gulf states) continue to be neutral we will stay away,

he said

This campaign will be relentless to degrade their capability and to open up shipping lanes in the region and to defend our homeland,

he said

Hossein Salamimajor general

We have always declared — and we declare again today — that the Yemenis are an independent and free nation in their own land, with an independent national policy,

a top IRGC official, Major General Hossein Salami, said on Sunday

Successive U.S. administrations have failed to stem the flow of Iranian support to the Houthis and the growing Iranian influence over them,

read a 2022 analysis from the center-right American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

Hossein Salamimajor general

We warn our enemies that Iran will respond decisively and destructively if they take their threats into action,

the IRGC’s Salami said to Iranian state media

Iran strongly and categorically rejects any accusation on the violation of relevant Security Council resolutions on arms embargoes in Yemen or involvement in any

Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote in the letter, seen by Reuters

While committed to its obligations to international peace and security, the Islamic Republic of Iran will resolutely defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests under international law against any hostile action,

Iravani said

We will not allow Trump to support the Zionist enemy in its crime of killing the people of Gaza with hunger and thirst,

the Ansar Allah source said

We are not those who can withstand threats and intimidation. Any American escalation in service of the Zionists and the Zionist lobby will be paid for by the American citizen, who pays taxes and incurs increased shipping costs as a result of the Trump administration's foolishness."

An Ansar Allah source to Newsweek