As the Islamic Republic of Iran prepares for negotiations with the administration of President Donald J. Trump, the Islamic Republic finds itself in urgent need of expendable bargaining assets to safeguard the strategic core of its nuclear program. Yemen’s Houthis, a key force aligned with Iran’s regional ambitions, present an ideal sacrificial piece: First, Tehran escalates Houthi aggression against U.S. interests, using the Yemeni proxy as a tool to apply pressure and shape the regional security landscape. Then, at the negotiating table, Tehran offers de-escalation—promising to rein in the Houthis or even sever ties— in exchange for preserving the core of its nuclear program. Washington, on the other hand, targets Houthi positions to bereave the regime of its bargaining chip, coercing Tehran into offering strategic concessions during negotiations.
