Houthis Strike Israel Again; Iran To Allow ‘Nonhostile’ Ships Through Strait

(RFE/RL) Houthi rebels fired a second salvo of missiles within 24 hours against Israel, as the Iran-allied Yemeni group deepened its involvement in the Middle East war. Tehran said ships from “nonhostile” nations would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Israel intensified its attacks against Iran, targeting a naval research facility and striking sites in Tehran late on March 28 as the conflict continues to spread. More than 3,500 US troops arrived in the Middle East, as Washington continued its buildup of forces for a possible ground invasion. The new troops included 2,500 Marines, US Central Command said. The Washington Post, citing unnamed US officials, reported that the Pentagon was preparing plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran. The White House did not deny the report, but downplayed it, suggesting that such preparations would be routine contingency planning. The involvement of the Houthis — designated a terrorist organization by the United States — risks widening the war launched by the United States and Israel, as Iran targets Gulf Arab states, and even farther away places, such as Cyprus, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, where Britain has military assets. – Houthis Strike Israel Again; Iran To Allow ‘Nonhostile’ Ships Through Strait