Iran Rejects Regional Coalition's Accusation of Missile Launch from Yemen

On Monday, November 6, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected recent accusations against Tehran from the Saudi-led regional coalition, calling them "unjust, irresponsible, destructive, and provocative." This coalition accused Iran of "military aggression" following a missile launch from Yemen to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, stating that this could be seen as a "declaration of war" against Saudi Arabia. The regional coalition includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, and Sudan. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website, Bahram Qasemi described the Yemeni response as an "independent action," asserting that the root cause should be sought in Saudi aggressions rather than the actions or provocations of any other country. Tehran accuses Saudi Arabia of interfering in Yemen's affairs, while Riyadh denies this claim, stating that the coalition intervened at the request of Yemen's legitimate government to combat the Houthi group. In turn, Saudi Arabia accuses Tehran of meddling in Yemen, a charge that Iran also denies. In another part of his remarks, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused Saudi Arabia of making "baseless and entirely false" allegations due to its failures in Yemen, which he claimed further entrenches their failed coalition. The regional coalition stated in its statement on Monday morning that "Iran's role and direct command" of the Houthis during the missile launch is considered a clear military aggression aimed at threatening the security and peace of neighboring countries and the region. The statement indicated that the missile launch could be interpreted as a "declaration of war" against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It further stated that the coalition led by Riyadh believes it has the "right" to respond to Iran "at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner." Earlier, Colonel Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said on Sunday, November 5, that the "dangerous escalation of the crisis by the Houthis is due to Iranian support." According to Reuters, he stated during a press conference that the "missile launch vehicles" were made in Iran. Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump, who is currently in Asia, stated, "I think the missile launch towards Saudi Arabia was influenced by Iran, and our [missile defense] system intercepted it." The missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by Saudi defenses near Riyadh. Shortly after these remarks, Iran's defense minister denied Tehran's involvement in the missile attack from Yemen to Saudi Arabia, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards stated, "There is no possibility of transferring missiles to Yemen," asserting that the launched missile belonged to the Ansarullah group itself. Tehran has never concealed its verbal support for the Yemeni rebels, specifically the group known as "Ansarullah," which includes the Houthis, but denies reports of transferring or sending weapons to them. Meanwhile, Houthi militants claim that the ballistic missile launched, which they named "Volcano One," was "locally made" in Yemen. The battles in Yemen began after the Houthis and supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh revolted against Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the President of Yemen, who is still recognized by the United Nations as the head of the country's government. Following this revolt, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled to Aden and then to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh formed a coalition to restore power to him and entered the battles in Yemen. Since then, at least 10,000 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Control of Yemen is divided between the Houthis and their allies in Sanaa and northern regions, and supporters of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and his government in Aden and southern areas.