The US-headed Operation Prosperity Guardian could be a kind of message to Iran that the projection of force could, if necessary, affect not only Yemen's Houthis but also Iran's territory, the Russian military analyst Igor Korotchenko told Sputnik.
However, all sides will tread lightly so as not to provoke a major conflict, the expert added.
Moreover, the coalition's operation is primarily aimed at supporting Israel's operation to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Korotchenko pointed out.
He suggested that the US-led operation will last "not a week or two," depending on the activity of the Houthis and how much missile attack equipment and drones remain in their arsenal.
As Austin announced, the operation will involve the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Seychelles, and Spain.
Earlier, US media reported that as a part of the operation, some countries will conduct patrols and others will conduct reconnaissance in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis have earlier said that they would continue to prevent the passage in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea of ships linked to Israeli companies or bound for Israel until Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip ends.