Iran Sends Revolutionary Guards Commanders and Advanced Military Equipment to Yemen’s Houthi Rebels

In mid-July, Iran transferred senior commanders from its Revolutionary Guards, military advisors, and advanced missile and drone equipment to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to a Reuters report citing four sources, including two Iranian insiders. The transfer occurred on July 13 via a Mahan Air flight departing Tehran. The plane was forced to divert from its original destination, Sanaa airport, to the port city of Hodeidah after Sanaa was attacked by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.

The Iranian sources revealed that between 10 and 21 Revolutionary Guards personnel, including senior commanders, were on board. Their mission is reportedly to support the Houthis by providing training on new missile systems and enhancing their military capabilities, particularly in threatening international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Alongside military hardware, the flight also carried gold intended to finance Houthi operations.

Intelligence analysts noted that the cargo included short- and medium-range missile components and drone parts similar to those previously used in attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani, aligned with the Saudi-backed government, confirmed the intelligence and stated the Iranian commanders aim to prepare the Houthis to threaten maritime security.

This transfer comes amid escalating tensions in the region. Shortly after the flight, Tehran reportedly urged the Houthis to prepare to block Red Sea oil routes if the US attacked Iranian energy infrastructure. The Houthis subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, signaling the end of a four-year ceasefire, and claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers.

Iran and the Houthis deny these allegations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said the July 13 flight was to return a Houthi delegation from Tehran after attending Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral and to repatriate Yemeni civilians treated in Iran. Houthi media figure Abd al-Rahman al-Ahnoumi, who claimed to be on the flight, dismissed the military transfer claims as "lies," asserting all passengers were civilians and that the Houthis develop their weapons independently without acting as an Iranian proxy.