Velayati: We have supplied weapons to Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon, but not missiles to Yemen

Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on international affairs, stated on Wednesday that "we have provided weapons to Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon to stand against ISIS and terrorists," adding that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has not given any missiles to Yemen." Mr. Velayati made these remarks during an interview with the Arabic-language news network "Al-Alam" on Wednesday, December 20. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying surface-to-surface missiles to the Houthi group in Yemen. For the first time, Saudi media reported on the evening of November 4 that the country's air defense had intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis from Yemen towards Riyadh airport. Riyadh accused Tehran of providing this missile to the Houthi group, but both Iran and the Houthis denied this accusation. Subsequently, Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, showed reporters missile remnants on December 14, which she claimed were from the ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh and had been transferred from Saudi Arabia to Washington. According to this U.S. official, the missile bore the emblem of the Shahid Baghery Industrial Group and matched the specifications of Iranian missiles. She called for action from the "international community" against Iran during the press conference. Iranian officials strongly criticized Ms. Haley's statements and stated they would file a complaint with the United Nations. Meanwhile, Amir Hatami, Iran's Minister of Defense, called for a piece of the missile remnants to be delivered to Tehran for testing. According to reports, Ali Akbar Velayati said: "This is not the first time this lady [Nikki Haley] has said such nonsense, someone who does not have a proper diplomatic background and makes statements that are even contested by other representatives and diplomats of the United States." Mr. Velayati referred to the U.S. ambassador's remarks, saying: "She has placed a piece in the corner and claims these missiles were given to Yemen by Iran. How did she reach this certainty? This lady has not stopped making baseless and frivolous statements, and these remarks are merely to justify the defeat of their allies in the ruthless attacks they have carried out against the people of Yemen, but they can be sure that the ultimate victors of this war will be the people of Yemen." Meanwhile, following recent discussions, Saudi Arabia announced on December 19 that it had intercepted another "Iranian-Houthi" ballistic missile over Riyadh, which targeted the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The day after that, the White House announced that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, and King Salman of Saudi Arabia had spoken by phone regarding the importance of holding Iran accountable for the Houthi missile attacks. They stated that these attacks were carried out "with the help and support of the Revolutionary Guards." Ali Akbar Velayati emphasized in his remarks on Wednesday that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has not given any missiles to Yemen." Nikki Haley was referring to a piece of a missile that the U.S. claims was launched by the Houthis. He added: "Yemenis were primarily armed during the time of Ali Abdullah Saleh and Mansour Hadi and even earlier by camps in the East; we are not concerned that the world knows the Islamic Republic of Iran has supplied weapons to Iraq, Syria, or Lebanon. We have provided them with weapons to stand against ISIS and terrorists; we provide humanitarian aid and political support to Yemen, but Iran has not given them missiles." Ali Akbar Velayati's statements regarding sending weapons to countries like Syria come at a time when Iranian officials have emphasized that Tehran's assistance to Damascus has only involved sending military advisors. The Supreme Leader's advisor continued: "Yemenis do not need weapons due to multiple wars and the purchase and spoils of light and heavy weapons from Hadi's forces. There are 90 million weapons in Yemen, meaning there are three weapons for every person." Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, also rejected any "military connection" with Yemen on December 19, stating that Tehran has enough "courage" to announce if it armed the Shiite Houthis. The Yemeni rebels, who are supported by Iran, belong to the Zaydi sect of Shi'ism, which is different from Iran's Twelver Shi'ism. The Zaydi sect has not previously been recognized by various Twelver Shi'ite authorities. Following the Houthi uprising against Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the President of Yemen, Saudi Arabia formed a regional coalition to restore him to power, but so far, the Houthis continue to control Sana'a, the capital, and parts of Yemen.