Reuters: Iran's Increased Arms Shipments to Houthis via Oman

Reuters reports, citing American and Western officials, that the frequency of arms shipments from Iran to the Houthis in Yemen via Oman has significantly increased. A senior Iranian official also told the agency that Tehran has "increased its support for the Houthis." The report mentions several unnamed Western and American officials who claim that based on their information and assessments, Iran has markedly increased the number of times it sends weapons to Yemen. According to these reports, assistance has been sent on the ground to the Houthis. Officials also state that they do not know the "exact size" of the weapons sent. Oman has emphatically denied any arms smuggling across its borders. A senior U.S. official told Reuters that Washington has informed the Omani government of its concerns regarding this issue. Muscat is also considered one of the main mediators in the negotiations between Washington and Tehran on various issues, including the nuclear program, and there is speculation that the U.S. is refraining from publicly criticizing Oman. A Western official stated that Tehran has sent "anti-ship missiles, explosives... money and personnel" to the Houthis through this country. Another security source regarding West Asian affairs also mentioned that this assistance includes "surface-to-surface missiles." Reuters also quoted a senior Iranian political official stating that "our support for the Houthis in Yemen has clearly increased." This unnamed Iranian official said that the nuclear agreement has allowed Iran to have the "upper hand" against its long-time regional rival, Saudi Arabia, although "care must be taken regarding that as well." The report does not specify the type of "support" provided by this Iranian official. Saudi Arabia and several of its allies, who support Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and have formed a coalition to restore his power, have previously accused Iran of sending weapons to Yemen. Iranian government entities, including the Foreign Ministry, have consistently denied these reports, stating that the transfer of medical or food aid to Yemen is currently also impossible. Tehran has not yet responded to the report published on October 21 by Reuters. U.S. officials had previously warned about the shipment of weapons that could pose a threat to American personnel before the release of the new Reuters report describing the "increased arms shipments" to Yemeni rebels. In May of last year, following reports of potential confrontations between Yemeni rebels and the U.S. Navy using Iranian missiles, President Barack Obama stated that Tehran had been explicitly warned. However, the Yemen crisis has taken on a new dimension, with some foreign vessels in the Gulf of Aden being targeted by missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas. Among these, three missile attacks have been made against the U.S. Navy destroyer Mason, all of which were unsuccessful. However, the first two attacks marked the first time that the U.S. took military action against Houthi military assets. The Houthis themselves have denied launching missiles at the American destroyer. Senator John McCain, a senior member of the U.S. Congress, recently praised the U.S. Navy's response to the missiles launched in the Gulf of Aden, also suggesting that the missiles may have been sent by Iran for the Houthis. Reuters has also spoken with General Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, who expressed suspicion about the role of Iranians in arming the Houthis: "I think Iran plays a role in some of these issues (transferring missile technology from shore to sea)." The U.S. claims it is investigating the launched missiles. On the other hand, some Western officials have taken a more cautious stance regarding the quantity and volume of military aid that Iran is currently providing to the rebels. Diplomats have also suggested that Oman may not be reacting adequately to the arms shipments. A senior Western official told Reuters that "the level of smuggling of these weapons is probably not significant enough" to attract necessary attention. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, forced Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the Yemeni president whose government still holds international legitimacy, to resign from power. Mr. Hadi fled to Aden and then to Saudi Arabia. The Arab coalition's attacks on the rebels began last spring, and during this time, between seven to ten thousand people have lost their lives, a significant number of whom are civilians. The Arab coalition itself faces international criticism regarding deadly airstrikes on civilian gatherings in Yemen.