Iran rejects Yemeni accusations

Iran’s foreign ministry rejected on Saturday Yemen’s accusations of interfering in the Arab country’s internal affairs and sending weapons to Shia rebels.

Iranian spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham was quoted as saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been a friend of Yemen and supports unity and stability in the country.”

In an interview with London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper, however, Yemen’s Foreign Minister Bakr Al-Qirbi claimed that the government has evidence that unnamed Iranian groups send weapons to Yemeni militants. “We are waiting for Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Hussain Amir Abdallahaan, to visit Sanaa to clarify the position under the new government,” he said.

Al-Qirbi pointed out that Yemen detained a boat in its territorial waters last year carrying weapons intended for Houthi militants. He expressed his hope that Iran will stop interfering in his country’s affairs.