UN Warning on Yemen: Iran Flights and Houthi Attacks Escalate Tensions

The United Nations (UN) has warned that unilateral actions in Yemen could deepen divisions in the country and reignite the conflict. UN Deputy Secretary-General Khaled Hiyari, in his statement to the Security Council, emphasized that such steps would not bring peace closer, but rather accelerate polarization and increase the danger of military conflict.

Tensions escalated on 3 July when an Iranian plane flew from Tehran to Sanaa, controlled by Houthi sources, to transport a delegation for the funeral of Iran's late religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The internationally recognized government of Yemen condemned the flight as a violation of sovereignty and airspace, condemning Iran. Following airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, the Houthis announced the end of the de-escalation process with Saudi Arabia and fired ballistic missiles at the kingdom; Saudi officials reported that the missiles were intercepted.

US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Tammy Bruce argued that Iran is violating the arms embargo by providing military support to the Houthis and threatening regional security. While Bruce emphasized that Washington will continue to respond with force against Iran's attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the representatives of Bahrain and Yemen also condemned Tehran's provocative policies and called for respect for international law.