Britain: Iran Should Stop Sending Weapons to Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Following a missile attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia, the British government on Monday, April 6, called on Iran to stop sending weapons to the Shia militia. In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Britain 'is not in a position to accuse others.' Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, and Penny Mordaunt, the International Development Secretary of Britain, said in a joint statement: If Iran is truly committed to a political solution for Yemen, as it claims in its public statements, it must stop sending weapons to Yemen, as this prolongs the war, escalates regional tensions, and threatens international peace and security. The statement added: We question why Iran spends a significant portion of its revenues in a country with no historical ties or specific interests, instead of using its influence to end the conflict and help the people of Yemen. Saudi Arabia claims that its defense system intercepted seven ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Reports indicate that the debris from the missiles fell on a residential area, resulting in one death. The Houthis confirmed that they targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and several other areas. According to the rebels, Burkan H-2 missiles were used in the attack on Riyadh. The Saudi-led coalition reported that Najran, Jazan, and Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia were also targeted in the missile attacks. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reacted to the statement from the two British ministers. According to IRNA, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, rejected the accusations in the joint statement regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran sending weapons to Yemen, stating that Britain 'is undoubtedly complicit and responsible for the war crimes committed in Yemen through arms sales and providing logistical and intelligence support to the aggressor countries and aiding the inhumane blockade of Yemenis.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the Yemen war 'only has a political solution' and that Tehran is ready 'to assist in finding a political solution between the warring parties.' The Shia Houthi militants have previously launched missiles at areas in Saudi Arabia. Various reports indicate that Saudi Arabia's defense system has intercepted these missiles. Saudi Arabia and the United States claim that Iran provides missile weapons to the Houthis. Iran has denied these accusations. United Nations experts responsible for monitoring the implementation of Yemen sanctions visited Saudi Arabia twice, once in May and July 2017 and then in November and December of the same year, to investigate the remnants of ground-to-ground missiles fired by the Houthis at Saudi targets. These experts concluded that these weapons originate from Iran and reached the Houthis after the UN Security Council sanctions began in March 2015. According to a UN report, based on Security Council resolution 2216, which emphasizes the prohibition of direct or indirect weapon transfers to the Houthis and their allies, the review committee found that the Islamic Republic of Iran violated this clause and did not show the necessary caution in refraining from selling or transferring missiles and drones to the Houthis and supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Tehran has rejected these reports and accused Saudi Arabia of 'distorting all facts.' In this context, the Saudi military coalition threatened to retaliate against Iran for the Houthi missile attack. Increasing tensions between the Houthis and Riyadh are occurring on the eve of the fourth year of the war in Yemen. Khamenei: 'What is it to you that Iran intervenes in Iraq and Syria?' Trump and Mohammed bin Salman discussed tensions with Iran and the war in Yemen.