Iran has denied involvement in Yemeni Houthi rebels’ recent drone and missile strike on Israel, distancing itself from longstanding allies amid mounting international scrutiny and regional unrest.
Israel officials accused Tehran of orchestrating Wednesday night’s strike, which struck Israel’s southern regions late. Houthis rebel group from Yemen claimed responsibility, stating it was in response to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry swiftly dismissed these claims as being baseless and part of an escalation campaign designed to heighten tensions across the Middle East region.
“Iran does not play any part in the military decisions made by Yemen’s resistance,” stated Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry during a press conference held in Tehran. These accusations are politically driven and designed to deflect from Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.
Israel reportedly intercepted most of the ballistic missiles and drones used in this attack by using their air defense systems, with no major damages or casualties reported as a result of this incident. While no major threats from Yemen had been perceived directly before now, this incident serves as evidence of their expanding reach through proxy groups and regional actors.
Israeli officials remain unpersuaded by Iran’s denials. An Israeli government spokesperson stated: “We know who funds, arms, and trains the Houthis.” Added another: “This attack, like those from Hezbollah or militias in Iraq bears all the hallmarks of Iranian regime control.
Houthis have shown their solidarity with Palestinians by vowing to launch attacks against Israel in protest of Gaza war. Over recent months they have carried out such operations, targeting ships in Red Sea and trying drone strikes against Israeli cities.
Iran has provided both political and military assistance to the Houthis for years; its exact role remains controversial among analysts. Tehran maintains its support is limited solely to moral or humanitarian aid and denies any operational coordination with regard to military activities.
Regional experts believe the recent incident could further destabilize an already fragile Middle East, as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to flare and proxy conflicts flare across numerous fronts.
Leila Hassan, a Middle East analyst from the Center for Strategic Policy stated: “Even if Iran wasn’t directly behind this attack, its relationship with Houthis inevitably implicates it in the eyes of Iran’s adversaries,” according to Dr. Leila Hassan. She went on to state: “The real risk here is that indirect confrontations may escalate into open warfare.”
United Nations and Western governments have encouraged all parties to show restraint and avoid actions which could trigger a wider regional war, while Israel has stated its right to respond “from any direction”.
As the conflict escalates, Iran’s denial may do little to ease concerns of an expanded Middle Eastern conflict.