Iran's mission to the United Nations rejected American claims that Tehran exploited the visit of the Houthi delegation to the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to transfer military equipment to Yemen. The statement described the Houthis as 'legitimate representatives' of a significant part of the Yemeni people and dismissed the accusations as 'baseless.'
Iran's mission to the United Nations on Tuesday officially rejected allegations from Washington that the Islamic Republic used the Houthi delegation's visit to the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier this month as a cover to transfer military equipment to the Houthi movement in Yemen.
The statement, issued by the Iranian mission, defended the Houthi delegation's presence at the funeral, describing the Houthis as 'legitimate representatives of a significant part of the Yemeni people.' It added that Iran's ties with the Houthis are aimed at promoting the peace process in Yemen in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. The American accusations were dismissed as 'completely baseless.'
The Houthi delegation's attendance at the funeral in Tehran — which drew delegations from dozens of countries — had been a point of tension. According to earlier reports, Iran had attempted to prevent the Houthi leaders from attending the funeral, but the delegation ultimately arrived. The US allegations suggest that Iran used the event to funnel weapons to the Houthis, a charge Tehran has consistently denied.
The denial comes amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and international concern over Iranian weapons transfers to the Houthi movement, which has been fighting a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The Zioneer has previously reported on Iran's efforts to maintain ties with the Houthis despite international pressure.
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