Iran is accused of secretly sending Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and missile-related equipment to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. This military support reportedly occurred just before the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.
According to sources from Iran and Yemeni government officials cited by Reuters on July 23, Iran delivered IRGC personnel and military equipment via a Mahan Air passenger flight that departed Tehran for Yemen on July 13.
Sources indicated that between 10 and 21 IRGC members, including high-ranking commanders, were on board the flight. They were reportedly dispatched to support Houthi military operations and to train on the operation of new missile systems.
The flight was initially intended for Sana'a, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen. However, after Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces conducted airstrikes on Sana'a airport, the destination was changed to Hodeidah, a port city on the Red Sea.
It is also reported that the flight carried short- and medium-range missile and drone parts. One source claimed that gold bars were included for funding Houthi activities.
The Yemeni government has accused Iran of strengthening Houthi military capabilities to enhance their maritime attack capabilities in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia just a week after the flight's arrival on July 20.
The Houthis have blamed Saudi Arabia for the airstrikes on Sana'a airport and warned of attacks on Saudi oil tankers. They later claimed to have conducted military operations targeting two Saudi oil tankers.
Both Iran and the Houthis have denied the allegations of transporting military personnel and equipment.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated, "The flight was intended to return a Houthi delegation that attended the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader and Yemeni civilians receiving treatment in Iran." A Houthi official who claimed to be on the flight also refuted the assertion that Iranian military experts were on board, calling it a "fabrication" and insisting that all passengers were civilians.
Reuters noted that it could not independently verify whether IRGC personnel and military equipment were actually transported.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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