Senator Marco Rubio has leveled a serious accusation against Iran, alleging that the nation has been flying members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly into Yemen. Rubio claims these flights, originating from Tehran, are a direct catalyst for the renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, stating, “They decided to send direct flights from Tehran into Yemen, carrying IRGC elements and others into the country. And the Saudis responded to it.” These remarks were made amidst growing concerns over threats to international shipping, particularly the Houthi declaration of a blockade targeting Saudi-linked vessels in the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis assert this action is retaliation for Saudi restrictions and a recent attack on their controlled airport in Sanaa, which they blame on Saudi Arabia. However, Rubio disputes this narrative, pointing to Iran’s alleged IRGC troop deployment as the primary driver of the escalation. The situation has heightened anxieties about maritime security, as disruptions to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which approximately 12% of global trade passes, could have significant economic repercussions, especially following recent curtailments in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has vowed to maintain open transit through the strait, while the Houthis’ claims of altering vessel courses remain unverified, though their past actions suggest a broader reach beyond their stated targets. This accusation by Rubio, made during discussions on regional security with ASEAN foreign ministers, highlights a pattern of Iranian support for destabilizing groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah and Hamas, as Iran allegedly prioritizes funding these proxies over its own population.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
