Iranian 'Informed Source' Calls Claims of Weapons on Seized Boat in Yemen 'Fabrication'

An anonymous informed source in the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed the news of the seizure of an Iranian boat by the Saudi-led anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen, calling the claims of a weapons shipment on the boat 'baseless,' 'false news fabrication,' and 'psychological warfare.' According to the state news agency IRNA, this source, whose name was not mentioned, emphasized on Wednesday, October 1, that 'the coalition forces have resorted to a worn-out and repetitive scenario following the recent Mina disaster scandal.' He also stated that the situation of this 'fishing vessel is under investigation.' The anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia, announced on Wednesday that it had seized an 'Iranian cargo boat carrying weapons' destined for Yemen. Reuters reported that the coalition stated this boat was seized on Saturday in the Arabian Sea and was carrying various types of ammunition, mortars, and other military equipment for the Iranian-backed Houthi forces. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's 'informed source' claimed that 'the people of Yemen do not need Iranian weapons to confront the aggressors.' He described the allegations about the shipment of this 'vessel' as 'diversionary' and stressed that 'it in no way justifies the scale of the crimes and relentless attacks by the coalition forces against the people of Yemen and the destruction of this Muslim country's infrastructure.' Saudi Arabia and the Arab coalition have repeatedly accused Iran of arming the Houthi rebels. Tensions in Tehran-Riyadh relations have escalated in recent years over conflicts in Syria and Yemen, peaking with the Mina disaster on October 2 of this year. In this context, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated on Wednesday at a UN Security Council meeting that 'one or two neighboring countries' are 'unable to understand the threat and shared fate' stemming from terrorist actions and extremists, which is why they have 'irresponsible behavior that was recently manifested in their treatment of the victims of the Mina disaster.' He added, 'The world has not forgotten their complicity in creating Al-Qaeda and the Taliban and Saddam's crimes against our people and his own people. These were among the main factors that led to the emergence of dangerous Takfiri extremism.' Mr. Zarif also called for 'serious dialogue and cooperation' with Iran's neighbors to resolve regional issues. Iranian officials have previously accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the so-called Islamic State or ISIS.