Reuters: The Islamic Republic is a mediator in secret negotiations for the transfer of advanced Russian missiles to the Houthis in Yemen

On Tuesday, October 3, Reuters reported in an exclusive article, citing Western and regional sources, that secret negotiations between Russia and the Houthis, mediated by the Islamic Republic, are underway for the transfer of advanced Russian anti-ship missiles to this militia group in Yemen. Seven sources told Reuters that Moscow has not yet made a decision to transfer the "Yakhont" missiles to the Houthis. Experts say these missiles would allow the Houthis to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea with greater precision, exacerbating threats against the U.S. and Europe. The American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" had previously reported that Russia was considering sending these missiles, but the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a mediator in these negotiations is reported for the first time. Two regional officials aware of the negotiations told Reuters that representatives of the Houthis and Russians met in Tehran at least twice this year, and discussions for providing dozens of missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers are ongoing, with additional meetings planned in Tehran for the coming weeks. One source stated that negotiations began during the administration of Ibrahim Raisi. A Western intelligence source told Reuters that the Islamic Republic has taken on the role of mediator in these negotiations and does not want its signature on any potential contract. The news agency sought responses from the Islamic Republic's delegation to the United Nations and the Russian Ministry of Defense, but neither responded. A spokesman for the Houthis in Yemen also told Reuters that they are not aware of such a matter. A U.S. Department of Defense official emphasized that any effort to enhance the capabilities of the Houthis in Yemen undermines the international community's joint efforts to ensure freedom of global shipping and establish stability in the Red Sea and the Middle East. Additionally, three sources that Reuters spoke with indicated that one of Moscow's motivations for arming the Houthis is how Western countries decide to allow Ukraine to use their long-range weapons and increase attacks on Russian territory. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, had warned that Moscow could send advanced long-range weapons similar to those the U.S. and its allies provide to Ukraine to those he referred to as "enemies of the West" worldwide. Moscow and Tehran have strengthened their military relations amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, raising concerns among the United States and its allies about the implications of this cooperation, which they have repeatedly warned about. In the most recent case, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Tuesday at the Security Council that military cooperation between the Islamic Republic, North Korea, and Russia poses a threat to global peace and security and called for international action against it. The "Yakhont" missile is one of the most advanced anti-ship missiles in the world, difficult to detect and track due to its stealth capability and speed exceeding twice the speed of sound. The Houthis need to learn how to use this system. Russia has also provided the "Yakhont" missile to Hezbollah in Lebanon, another militia group supported by the Islamic Republic. Since last October, the Houthis have begun their drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, disrupting global maritime trade by forcing shipping companies to change routes.