It should also be noted that the US has “burned through” 9 units of MQ-9 Reaper - the Houthis shot them down. Total worth? Maybe 500 million. That’s 9 out of 300 produced, not a sustainable thing to do without producing more.
Still, I don’t think the US is particularly deterred because the Houthis are a low-tech fighting force and depend on Iran for fancy equipment.
There’s also a definite possibility of an US-Iran conflict on the horizon. Both have their reasons to go where they’re going.
Iran wants to be a regional big player and intends to overcome Israel in a tech race (on top of ruling their own people with an iron fist and repressing a lot). The US has tried to contain Iran and considers influence over the Middle East to be of importance. Containment is obviously failing since Russia now cooperates with Iran, and has likely returned some favours (in the field of technology) for the weapons (mostly “Shahed” drones) Iran sent them to help invade Ukraine.
On personal matters - Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani during his previous term, and Iran promised revenge. So there’s a chance they’re going to collide head on.
It should also be noted that the US has “burned through” 9 units of MQ-9 Reaper - the Houthis shot them down. Total worth? Maybe 500 million. That’s 9 out of 300 produced, not a sustainable thing to do without producing more.
Still, I don’t think the US is particularly deterred because the Houthis are a low-tech fighting force and depend on Iran for fancy equipment.
There’s also a definite possibility of an US-Iran conflict on the horizon. Both have their reasons to go where they’re going.
Iran wants to be a regional big player and intends to overcome Israel in a tech race (on top of ruling their own people with an iron fist and repressing a lot). The US has tried to contain Iran and considers influence over the Middle East to be of importance. Containment is obviously failing since Russia now cooperates with Iran, and has likely returned some favours (in the field of technology) for the weapons (mostly “Shahed” drones) Iran sent them to help invade Ukraine.
On personal matters - Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani during his previous term, and Iran promised revenge. So there’s a chance they’re going to collide head on.