Iran (MNN) — Iran has once again turned to its proxies in its war with the United States and Israel. Tuesday’s Houthi attacks on cities in Saudi Arabia left dozens wounded and led to tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iran on Iranian oil carriers and a U.S. base in Jordan.

A man in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Photo courtesy of Mohammad Alashri via Unsplash)

The Houthi flashpoint is only one manifestation of Iran’s web of relationships catching attention today. Nor is this the first time Iran has flexed its ties to the Yemeni rebel group. You may remember that in months past, the Houthis have attacked Saudi ships and overall threatened the Red Sea shipping route, among other activities.

“Saudi Arabia is one of Washington’s most important security partners in the Gulf,” Lana Silk with Transform Iran says. “By attacking a Saudi shipping route, it [Iran] creates more economic and political costs without having to directly move against the United States and sort of inciting retaliation.” 

Using proxy groups was the norm for Iran before it moved into direct conflict with Israel and the U.S. last year. The Twelve-Day War in June 2025 was a turning point, as was the joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, 2026.

“Then we went into a whole time of ‘Well, are we going to make a deal? Are we going to have a ceasefire?’ — which for the people involved isn’t great news because that means just ongoing suffering with no resolution,” says Silk. Regarding this week’s Houthi attacks, she says:

“My concern is that we just go back to old ways and have a long, drawn-out, proxy-led fight that has no resolution and doesn’t actually change anything for the people that we’re praying for.”

Today, the people of Iran are indeed suffering. Silk says there is a strategic mismanagement of funds by authorities.

Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Soroush via Unsplash)

“That means that the regular people face intense poverty and struggle, where the money that exists is not being used to help the people. Instead, it’s being used for military purposes,” she says.

Do you really believe prayer can change the world? Please pray for God’s perfect will to be done in the Middle East. Pray for a powerful movement of God among the Iranian Church that breaks down spiritual strongholds. 

“Iran is facing some very dark days, but the Word of God is very clear about the power of light in dark places,” says Silk. “We are the carriers of that light — the church is the carrier of that light.”

Find your place in the story. Would you prayerfully consider sending practical aid through Transform Iran for Iranian families in desperate financial need? You can also pray through a 10-day prayer guide for Iran here, created by those who want to see God’s kingdom on earth in Iran.

Children in Yemen (Stock photo courtesy of Irwan Zahuri via Pexels)

Header image is a stock photo courtesy of Emin Huric via Unsplash