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The United States urged Iran on Monday to cease its transfer of a substantial amount of weaponry to Yemen's Houthi rebels, facilitating their involvement in "reckless attacks" on ships in the Red Sea and beyond.
Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood addressed the U.N. Security Council, emphasizing the need to collectively condemn Iran for its destabilizing actions and to reject its attempts to shield itself behind the Houthis. He presented extensive evidence of Iran supplying advanced weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles, to the Houthis, which violates U.N. sanctions.
Wood underscored the council's concern about ongoing violations of the arms embargo, urging stronger enforcement and deterrents against sanctions violators.
The Houthis claim their Red Sea and Gulf of Aden attacks aim to pressure Israel to end its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has led to over 35,000 Palestinian deaths. The conflict began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 casualties and 250 people taken hostage. Since November, the Houthis have launched over 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel, and sunk another, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Recent weeks have seen a decrease in Houthi attacks due to a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has also declined due to the threat.
U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg warned that hostilities persist, despite fewer attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region and fewer U.S. and British airstrikes in Yemen. He highlighted the Houthis' announcement to "expand the scope of attacks," which he called a worrying provocation.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the U.S. and its allies for "unjustified aggressive strikes" in Yemen, violating the U.N. Charter and further complicating the situation in the Red Sea.
The conflict between the Houthis and pro-government forces, supported by a Gulf Arab coalition, has been ongoing since 2014, resulting in over 150,000 deaths and 3 million displaced people. While fighting has decreased since an April 2022 truce, hotspots remain across Yemen.
In December, the Houthis and the government took a step toward peace by agreeing to a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian aid provisions, and a political process. However, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths noted "alarmingly high" levels of severe food deprivation and a rapidly worsening cholera outbreak in Houthi-controlled areas.