As tensions escalate in the Red Sea region, Iran has sent several Shahid-136 loitering munitions known as "suicide drones" to its proxies in Yemen, Newsweek reported Thursday.
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According to the report, satellite footage from Dec. 25 shows that Iran's Revolutionary Guards sent the drones to the Al-Jawf province in northern Yemen, an area that is controlled by the Houthi rebels. These drones are capable of reaching destinations 2,200 kilometers (1400 miles) away and can therefore reach Israel.
In a recent interview, IDF spokesperson Hidai Zilberman said Iran might attack Israel from Iraq or Yemen. Also, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi instructed the IDF to prepare a new plan to deal with Iran's nuclear threat.
Experts who monitor the region said that Iran is trying to achieve plausible deniability. They hope to be able to strike a target and for the attack to be traced back to Yemen, and therefore be spared any retribution.
Meanwhile, the Iranian army is conducting naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, just a week after performing drone drills, including hundreds of aircraft and the infantry.
Iran has recently commemorated the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani and vowed to avenge his death.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri announced on Wednesday that Iran intends to conduct naval patrols in the Red Sea to protect the Iranian ships.
Two weeks ago, the London-based Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported that Israel and Saudi Arabia are pressuring US President Donald Trump to take military action against Iran before the end of his term.
The report stated that Iran's most recent plan to enrich uranium up to 20% is a breach of the Iranian nuclear deal and therefore constitutes a ground for a US military attack.
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