Iran continues to support Houthis in Yemen by supplying weapons

Lina PortmanMay 29, 2024

0 2 minutes read

The Iranian regime does not hesitate to support the Houthis in Yemen and other terrorist groups in the region. Even though Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister died in a helicopter crash, the country continues to supply the Houthis with anti-ship ballistic missiles.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, which often reflects the policies of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran is offering the Houthis a sea-launched ballistic missile. The report says the Ghadr missile is not “available » for the Houthis.

It is not clear how Iran would deliver the missiles to the Houthis. It is also unclear how the Houthis will launch it, as their navy does not have many significant ships. “Iran’s sea-launched ballistic missile, named Ghadr, is now available to (Houthi) fighters in Yemen,” Tasnim said. “Today, the missile…has become a weapon capable of presenting serious challenges to the interests of the United States and its main ally in the region, the Zionist regime. »

The report comes as the US Central Command said the Houthis “launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Red Sea. The M/V Laax, a Greek-owned and operated Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, reported being hit by three of the missiles but continued its journey. No injuries were reported from U.S., coalition or merchant ships.

The Houthis also launched kamikaze drones, which were shot down by US Central Command. “These systems were determined to pose an imminent threat to merchant ships in the region. These measures are being taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition and merchant ships,” CENTCOM said.

VIEW of missiles during a military parade organized by the Houthis on September 21 to mark the anniversary of their takeover in Sanaa, Yemen. (credit: KHALED ABDULLAH/Reuters)

This reflects increased attempts by the Houthis to intimidate the ships. The Houthis claimed on May 29 to have shot down an American-made Reaper drone. The report had not been confirmed at press time. However, photos posted online appear to show a large drone crashed.

A broader attempt

Iran says it could provide new missiles to the Houthis as part of a broader attempt to show it will not shy away from supporting its proxies waging a multi-front war in the region. For example, on May 27, Iranian media claimed that Iranian-backed militias in Iraq had targeted the Israeli city with drones.

Additionally, on May 29, Iranian media claimed that Hezbollah had carried out a series of attacks against northern Israel. A report by media outlet IRNA in Iran said the attacks targeted an Israeli “spy” base in the Shtula area.

Meanwhile, Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagher Kani said on May 29 that he would tour “a few countries in the region regarding the crimes of the Zionist regime in occupied Palestine,” IRNA reported in Iran.

He made the comments on Wednesday. “Regarding the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Tehran, Bagheri Kani said that there had been a mutual invitation from both sides, but the date of the visit had not yet been fixed,” the report said .

The general context of these reports is that Iran is seeking to intensify and coordinate its attacks in the region. This includes intensifying attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as seeking to shoot down drones, mobilizing militias in Iraq and taking strategic actions with Hezbollah and terrorist groups Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza against Israel.