The Times view on Houthi attacks: Showdown in the Red Sea
In retaliation for deadly terrorist bombs and domestic unrest, Iran is promising revenge and more Houthi attacks on shipping that could engulf all the region
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The two huge terrorist bombings in central Iran, which killed 84 people and were the most deadly since the overthrow of the Shah, threaten a response that could immerse all the Middle East in war. In their fury, Iran’s leaders have immediately blamed Israel, America and agents they say are controlled by the West. They have promised harsh retaliation against Iran’s “criminal enemies” and may encourage Hezbollah, their proxies in Lebanon, to step up rocket attacks on Israel that would almost certainly provoke a military response.
Iran’s leaders — jittery, paranoid and under huge domestic pressure — know full well that the bombings were not the work of Israel or the West. Islamic State, the Sunni terrorist organisation that regards Shia Muslims as apostates,
