Iranian analyst issues stark warning: "Lebanon is burning, Hormuz is boiling"

Iranian analyst Trita Parsi warns that the collapse of the memorandum of understanding proves Tehran was right in demanding a comprehensive regional ceasefire. According to him, the Houthis have advanced and can close the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and a Saudi oil pipeline has been damaged. He asserts that without a broad agreement including Lebanon, Yemen, and Israel, even a deal with Iran will not hold.

Iranian analyst Trita Parsi warns that the collapse of the memorandum of understanding proves Tehran was right in demanding a comprehensive regional ceasefire. According to him, the Houthis have made significant progress and can now easily close the Bab el-Mandeb strait. In addition, Saudi Arabia's "East-West" oil pipeline, a major route for transporting crude oil from the eastern fields to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea, was damaged last Thursday by bullet impacts at pumping stations, causing fires. Satellite images revealed damage at several points, but it is unclear whether the pipeline itself was severely damaged. A US official noted that the drones may have been launched from Iraq. Parsi argues that the Iranian demand served American interests and asserts that without a broad agreement including Lebanon, Yemen, and Israel, even a deal with Iran will not hold. The article also includes a warning to the Iranian leadership from an Israeli source that any attack on Israel will be met with a powerful response that will severely harm Iran, including its major energy facilities.