Iran is said to be 'deeply threatened' by the small African breakaway state, Somaliland, because of the potential for U.S., Israeli and Western powers to use its deep water port and airbase. Such moves would severely disrupt Iran’s plan to use their proxy, Yemen’s Houthi terror group, to attack Red Sea shipping. Iran has been accused of pressuring the Houthis to renew their strikes on shipping, particularly in the Red Sea’s Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Lisa Daftari, a Middle East and foreign policy expert, told Fox News Digital that Iran's regime is deeply threatened by what Somaliland represents as a pro-Western, potentially pro-Israel foothold overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb. Somaliland's Foreign Minister reiterated an offer to provide the United States with access along their coast, including storage space for tomahawk missiles. The U.S. already cooperates with Somaliland on counterterrorism, but publicly maintains its strategic partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia.