TEHRAN – Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations has forcefully rebutted recent accusations by the United States about the Islamic Republic’s interference in Yemen.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the rotating President of the UN Security Council Pedro Comissario Afonso, Amir Saeid Iravani challenged the recent claims made by United States Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood during a Security Council meeting on Yemen. 

Wood alleged that Iran was supplying "advanced weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles," to Yemen's military and the Ansarullah resistance movement.

Iravani condemned Wood's remarks, lamenting the use of the Security Council's platform to promote what he termed as the United States' "short-sighted political interests" and to justify its actions in Yemen. 

He accused the United States of spreading falsehoods and misinformation about Iran's role in Yemen, which he deemed as contributing to the illegal actions and military aggression against Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Iravani dismissed the remarks as part of a broader agenda aimed at advancing Washington's narrow political interests in the region through the dissemination of false information.

Iran categorically rejected the baseless allegations, reaffirming its adherence to the Security Council's resolutions on Yemen and asserting its compliance with international norms.

Moreover, Iravani underscored Iran's commitment to resolving the Yemen crisis through diplomatic channels and reiterated its support for maritime security and freedom of navigation.

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, Yemen's armed forces have undertaken numerous military operations targeting shipping linked to Israel since October 2023, following the Western-backed offensive against Palestinians in Gaza. The United States and Britain have been implicated in airstrikes and missile attacks on Yemen since mid-January, offering significant support to Israel, including arms, financial assistance, and logistical backing.

In a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, Yemeni forces have intercepted ships traveling to and from ports in the Occupied Territories or affiliated with Israel across various maritime regions. They have vowed to continue these operations until Israel ceases its aggression and lifts the siege on Gaza.

The ongoing conflict underscores the intricate geopolitical dynamics in the region and the overlapping interests of various stakeholders, heightening concerns about regional stability and the humanitarian situation in Yemen and Gaza.

Currently on trial before the International Court of Justice for genocide against Palestinians, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7. 

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the ongoing conflict has led to the death of 35,303 Palestinians and left 79,261 others wounded.

Additionally, approximately 7,000 individuals remain unaccounted for and are presumed to have perished under the debris of their homes across the Gaza Strip.

Both Palestinian and international organizations report that a significant majority of the casualties are women and children.

The Israeli offensive has exacerbated an acute famine, particularly in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of many Palestinians, most of whom are children.

Furthermore, the aggression has forced nearly two million people from various parts of the Gaza Strip to flee their homes, with the majority seeking refuge in the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. This mass displacement represents the largest exodus from Palestine since the Nakba in 1948.

Despite international warnings against a major offensive on the densely populated city, Israel announced on Thursday their plans to intensify ground operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, and deploy additional troops.

Palestinian health officials have warned that the few health facilities still operating are desperately depleted and at growing risk of shutting down as Israel presses on with its Rafah offensive. Despite Israel’s contention at the ICJ that it is facilitating the flow of aid into Gaza, the WHO says it has not been able to get any medical supplies into the enclave since Israeli troops moved towards Rafah.