Iran War Days 28–30: Houthis enter the war and Iran strikes aluminum smelters

GULF COUNTRIES - In Brief 29 Mar 2026 by Justin Alexander

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Highlights There was no confirmation of mooted US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan, but growing talk of a ground offensive, as US marines arrived in the region. Yemen’s Houthis entered the war, firing ballistic missiles. Iran destroyed US plans at a Saudi airbase and attacked aluminum smelters in the UAE and Bahrain, in response to an Israeli strike on steel plants. US/Israel and Iran There is as yet no confirmation that there will be US-Iran peace talks. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met in Islamabad to align regional positions and prepare the ground for possible Pakistan-hosted talks. (BB, USNws)Iran’s parliament speaker accused the US of “secretly planning a ground invasion” while talking of negotiations. A senior IRGC commander warned US ground troops would be “set on fire.” (PBS)The USS Tripoli arrived in the Arabian Sea carrying 3,500 Marines (31st MEU). The Pentagon is reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations. Anonymous sources quoted in the media gave timeframes such as “weeks, not months” or “a couple of months” to achieve the ground objectives (BB, DN, WP)Trump spoke at the Saudi FII Priority Summit in Miami on 27 March. He said Iran was “begging to make a deal,” and referred to the Strait of Hormuz as the “Strait of Trump.” (CNBC, NAT)JD Vance said on a podcast that the war will continue “a little while longer” but said that one could argue the US objectives have already been met. (DS)Israel bombed two Iranian steel plants: Khuzestan Steel near Ahvaz and Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan, both partially IRGC-owned. (ToI, MEMO)Israel also struck two nuclear facilities: the Yazd yellowcake production plant (which the IDF de...