Sana'a — Senior Yemeni military sources have confirmed the return of Brigadier General Abdul Reza Shahlai, deputy commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, to Yemen after spending nearly a year in Tehran.

The move has raised fresh concerns over Tehran’s deepening involvement in the country’s conflict and its support for Houthi militias.

Shahlai, who has long been identified by U.S. intelligence as a key architect of Iran’s military operations in Yemen, reportedly resumed his role overseeing Iranian advisory and logistical support to the Houthis. His return comes amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea and renewed Houthi attacks on commercial and military targets.

Military officials speaking on condition of anonymity said Shahlai’s reappearance signals a strategic recalibration by Iran, aimed at reinforcing its influence in northern Yemen and enhancing the Houthis’ operational capabilities. They warned that his presence could lead to a surge in drone and missile attacks, as well as more sophisticated battlefield tactics.

Shahlai has been linked to multiple high-profile operations, including the training of Houthi forces in advanced weaponry and coordination of attacks on regional adversaries. He is also designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist for his alleged role in orchestrating deadly assaults on American troops in Iraq and a failed assassination attempt on the Saudi ambassador in Washington.

The return of such a high-ranking figure underscores the enduring strategic value Yemen holds for Iran, particularly as a pressure point in its regional rivalry with Saudi Arabia and its broader confrontation with Western powers.

Yemeni officials have called on the international community to take urgent action to curb Iran’s interference and to hold Tehran accountable for its destabilizing role in the region.