Despite massive U.S. airstrikes that reportedly destroyed up to 80% of the Houthis' military capabilities—targeting missile depots, production centers, radar systems, and command hubs—Iran is still actively smuggling weapons to the group in Yemen.
American officials confirm that Iran continues to deliver arms via land and sea routes, and that the Houthis have multiple methods to receive these shipments. While the U.S. has tried for years to stop the flow of weapons, the effort has proven unsuccessful.
The main reason? Preventing Iranian support altogether would require a massive, long-term U.S. strategy—deploying large naval forces, surveillance aircraft squadrons, and conducting widespread ground operations to block smuggling routes on all fronts.
There is some cooperation between the U.S. and Yemen's government, especially with the Yemeni coast guard, which is also receiving training from the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Occasionally, Yemeni forces publish photos of intercepted arms shipments en route to the Houthis. But turning those interceptions into a strategic victory remains a challenge.