The Iranian regime continues to threaten its neighbors in the Gulf and undermine efforts toward peace in the region, declared Ambassador Tammy Bruce Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations.
On July 3, an Iranian flight from Tehran arrived in Sanaa, Yemen, in the Houthi-controlled territory. The purpose of this flight was to ferry Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel in support of Houthi terrorism, under the guise of transporting Houthi officials to the late-Supreme Leader’s funeral.
“This kind of support enables the Houthis to terrorize the Yemeni people and threaten freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways,” warned Ambassador Bruce.
These actions constitute a violation of Security Council Resolution 2216, which prohibits the supply, sale, or transfer of arms and related material, technical assistance, training, or other support to the Houthis.
The United States has repeatedly called out this long-running record of violations.
For nearly a decade and with Iranian assistance, the Houthis have demonstrated increasing military sophistication. That mounting capability is evidence that the Houthis have received external support in violation of the arms embargo.
Iran has also blatantly disregarded Security Council Resolution 2817, which demands that Iran cease its attacks.
The Iranian regime has continued its attacks, both directly and through its proxies, against its neighbors and maritime shipping.
Last week, Iran fired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and missiles against three civilian, commercial vessels transiting the Omani territorial waters in contravention of international law.
These strikes had the potential to injure and kill mariners and to impose significant environmental damage. One vessel, a Qatari liquified natural gas tanker, was left to burn and further threaten vessel traffic in the Strait.
On July 11, Iran struck a container ship en route to the United Arab Emirates. One Indian national remains missing.
Moreover, in the last week, Iran has launched UAVs and missiles against Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.
“These attacks are unacceptable,” declared Ambassador Bruce. “And they are a deliberate provocation that contradicts the diplomatic progress forged between the United States and Iran in May.”
Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, the United States will suspend military action and Iran will refrain from threats and the use of force. But Iran has repeatedly defied the terms of the MOU.
The United States will not unilaterally implement the MOU. Simply put, if Iran shoots at ships, the United States will immediately respond with force.
The United States stands with its partners in the Gulf, and with Yemen against the Iranian-supported Houthi terrorist threat.
The U.S. remains committed to working with Security Council members to use all available tools, including sanctions, to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen, and to safeguard international peace and security.