Guterres Says Two Missile Launchers Found in Yemen Are Apparently Iranian

According to a recent confidential report by the UN Secretary-General, two anti-tank missile launchers found by the Arab coalition in Yemen are apparently made in Iran, with their production dating back to 2016 and 2017. Reuters reported on December 20 that Antonio Guterres did not specify in his report whether the recent discoveries contradict UN Security Council sanctions. The UN Security Council passed a resolution in April 2015 that imposed an arms embargo on military forces in Yemen. This resolution, which has been in effect since January 2016, also supports the presidency of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. UN experts stated in January 2018, citing paragraph 14 of the same resolution, that Tehran has violated this provision regarding the prohibition of direct or indirect arms shipments to the Houthis and their allies. At that time, it was said that the Islamic Republic had not shown the necessary caution in refraining from selling or transferring missiles and drones to the Houthis and supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh. In Guterres' new report to the UN Security Council, it is stated that 'the Secretary-General has concluded that they (the anti-tank missile launchers) have the specifications of equipment produced in Iran, and indications suggest their production dates back to 2016 and 2017.' The report also mentions that the UN tested a surface-to-air missile, parts of which were missing and provided to the organization by the Saudi-led coalition, and concluded that its details resemble those of Iranian-made missiles. In another part of the report, Guterres said investigations into three ballistic missiles fired towards Saudi Arabia indicate that they have fundamental similarities to the short-range ballistic missiles Qiam-1, but it cannot be definitively stated whether they violate Security Council sanctions, as the date of their shipment to Yemen is unclear. According to diplomats, the UN Security Council is set to discuss Guterres' new report on Wednesday, December 12 (New York time). Reuters reports that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to attend the meeting. The United States has strongly criticized the Islamic Republic for what it calls destabilizing actions in the Middle East, including allegations of sending weapons and forces to the Houthis and the Syrian government, transferring equipment and financial resources to various groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, and similar issues. Iranian officials have always denied sending weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, although they never hide their support for the rebels. Tehran has accused the US of providing 'fabricated evidence' regarding the missiles fired at Saudi Arabia. In August of this year, a UN team reported to the Security Council that based on investigations of the wreckage of 10 missiles fired towards Saudi Arabia and drones used by the Houthis, 'there are clear similarities between these weapons and Iranian-made weapons.' This monitoring team also stated that Iran may have shown a willingness to assist in establishing a ceasefire in Yemen. Currently, representatives of the Houthis and the government are negotiating in Sweden. A senior US State Department official recently stated that Washington continues to support the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war and that Yemen should not pose a threat to Saudi Arabia and the UAE after the war.