Yemen's Foreign Ministry: Iran's Arming of Houthis Hinders Peace, Fuels Conflict

Asharq Al-Awsat

19-07-2025

Yemen's Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Naaman sharply criticized what he described as Iran's ongoing 'hostile policies' against the Yemeni people, accusing Tehran of persistently arming the Houthi movement with large quantities of weapons that prolong the country's devastating conflict.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Naaman said Iran should have learned 'harsh lessons' from the thousands killed across the Arab world and the destruction of vital infrastructure that has drained regional resources. Instead, he said, Tehran continues to supply its allies with arms, fueling 'ventures that bring misery to Yemenis.'
His remarks came two days after Yemen's National Resistance forces (NRF), led by Brig. Gen. Tariq Saleh, thwarted a major Iranian arms smuggling attempt off the coast of Hodeidah in western Yemen.
The intercepted shipment reportedly included advanced sea-to-air and air-to-air missile systems, air defense units, modern radar equipment, drones, surveillance devices, and anti-tank missiles destined for the Houthis.
Naaman praised the Coast Guard's 'precision operation' launched from their bases in Al-Mokha, calling it 'a reassuring signal of vigilance and readiness.'
He urged recognition of the 'tremendous efforts' by the National Resistance and Coast Guard forces despite limited technical and military resources.
Moreover, Naaman condemned Iran's actions as obstructing United Nations-led peace efforts in Yemen. 'It is regrettable that Iran persists in hostile policies against the Yemeni people by continuing to arm the Houthis with large quantities of weapons that negatively impact efforts to end the conflict,' he said.
He added that instead of supporting peace, the Iranian government 'continues to place obstacles in the path of every peace initiative led by UN envoy Hans Grundberg.'
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), praised the actions of the NRF saying.
'We commend the legitimate government forces of Yemen who continue to interdict the flow of Iranian munitions bound for the Houthis,' he said.
'The interdiction of this massive Iranian shipment shows that Iran remains the most destabilizing actor in the region. Limiting the free flow of Iranian support to the Houthis is critical to regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation,' he added.