Iran Protests Saudi Accusations Regarding Missile Attack to the United Nations

Iran's representation at the United Nations has protested against accusations made by Saudi Arabia regarding Iran's involvement and role in the missile attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen on Riyadh. Gholamali Khoshroo, in a letter to the Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, stated that these accusations are 'contrary to the UN Charter's prohibition on the threat of the use of force.' According to the IRNA news agency, Khoshroo described the accusations made by Saudi officials on November 7 as 'destructive, provocative, and in clear contradiction to Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter prohibiting the threat of the use of force.' This official from the Islamic Republic has asserted that the statements from Saudi officials are 'displacement' and aimed at 'diverting public opinion' from the attacks by the Riyadh-led coalition. Khoshroo stated that this coalition, by blocking Yemen's sea, land, and air terminals while the country faces famine and cholera, is 'responsible for the worsening situation.' The Saudi-led coalition, which has been engaged in battles since 2015 to restore power to Yemen's President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, has recently blocked Yemen's borders, describing it as a measure to counter the supply of weapons to Houthi rebels. Riyadh has also officially accused Iran of being involved in the Houthi missile attack, claiming this could mean 'a declaration of war against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' asserting that the country 'reserves the right to respond at a suitable time and place.' On Tuesday, the U.S. representative to the UN called for 'international action' to hold Tehran accountable for its policies in Yemen. Nikki Haley also referred to statements from Saudi officials indicating that the missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh 'likely had an Iranian origin.' On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense praised Saudi Arabia for what it described as 'exposing' Iran's role in transferring missile systems to Houthi militants in Yemen. Meanwhile, Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated that tensions between Tehran and Riyadh are 'extremely dangerous' and called for both countries to at least seek 'a minimum of common ground.' Iranian officials, both from the government and the armed forces, have denied the accusations made by Riyadh, asserting that they had no involvement in the attack. Khoshroo reiterated that 'the Islamic Republic of Iran once again calls for restraint and rationality instead of provocation and threats that could lead to further instability in this troubled region.' These statements regarding non-provocation come at a time when the political office of the Houthis in Yemen announced on November 7 that 'all airports, ports, border crossings, and significant areas of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be direct targets of our weapons.' Just two days prior, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic at the Kayhan Institute warned that 'Dubai is the next target.' This has faced protests from the Press Supervisory Board and several media outlets within Iran. Iranian officials, despite denying the supply of weapons to the Houthis, have never concealed their support for this Shia group. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who fled to Aden and then Saudi Arabia due to the rebellion of this group and its supporters, is still considered by the UN to be the President of Yemen. The Arab coalition claims to be attacking the rebels to restore power to him. The United Nations has called on the Saudi coalition to reopen the country's crossings as soon as possible to facilitate humanitarian aid to Yemen. The UN has warned that seven million people in Yemen are facing conditions similar to famine, and it is feared that nearly one million people may have contracted cholera.