Iranian authorities have categorically rejected U.S. accusations of an interception of weapons to the Huthis in Yemen and stressed that they comply with UN resolutions on the embargo on the Asian country.
Iran’s permanent mission to the UN has indicated that Wasington’s accusations are «baseless» and stressed that Tehran «has not taken any action against the resolution and actively cooperates with the sanctions committee set up to monitor the embargo (on Yemen).»
He said that «Iran is doing its utmost to restore the agreement for a truce and facilitate dialogue between Yemeni groups as soon as possible to achieve peace and stability in Yemen,» according to Iran’s Press TV.
The U.S. Fifth Fleet claimed on Tuesday to have intercepted in the Gulf of Oman a «fishing vessel» carrying «lethal aid», including «a large quantity of explosive materials», from Iran to Yemen.
«U.S. forces discovered more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidizer frequently used to make rocket and missile fuel, as well as explosives,» he said before noting that «this is the first seizure of ammonium perchlorate by the Fifth Fleet in history.»
The war in Yemen pits the internationally recognized government, now represented by the Presidential Leadership Council and supported by the international coalition led by Saudi Arabia, against the Iranian-backed Huthis. The Huthis control the capital, Sana’a, and areas in the north and west of the country.
The United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, is trying to bring the parties closer together to relaunch the peace process, after the truce agreed in April to mark the beginning of the month of Ramadan and subsequently extended on several occasions expired in October.
