Iran flew Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, military advisers, and missile- and drone-related equipment into Yemen on a July 13 flight, according to four sources including two Iranian sources, Yemen’s information minister, and a regional security analyst. The deployment signals Tehran’s efforts to strengthen Houthi military capabilities to threaten Red Sea shipping lanes and global energy supplies.
Mahan Air Flight Diverts to Hodeidah Following Airport Attack
The Mahan Air flight departed from Tehran on July 13 carrying between 10 and 21 IRGC personnel, including senior commanders, according to two Iranian sources speaking on condition of anonymity. The aircraft was originally bound for the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa. However, the plane diverted to the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah after the Sanaa airport came under attack by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
“The IRGC commanders travelled there to support Houthi operations and provide training on new missile systems,” one of the Iranian sources said. The source added that Iran also sent gold on the aircraft to fund Houthi activities. Abdel Rahman al-Ahnomi, a Houthi media official who said he was aboard the aircraft, described the allegations that Iran sent military experts as “lies and fabrications,” maintaining that all passengers were civilians.
Intelligence Confirms Transfer of Missile and Drone Components
Moammar al-Iryani, information minister in Yemen’s Saudi-backed government, confirmed the transfers of Guards personnel and equipment in a telephone interview, citing intelligence. “Their mission is to strengthen the militias’ military capabilities and prepare them to threaten international maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” al-Iryani said. Security and intelligence analyst Mzahem Alsaloum also confirmed the arrival of the IRGC experts on the July 13 flight.
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According to analyst Mzahem Alsaloum, the cargo on the July 13 flight included components related to short- and medium-range missiles and drones—weapons systems similar to those previously used in attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Alsaloum noted that Tehran also sent military advisers to Yemen during a war with Israel last year by routing them through Somalia, a claim that Tehran previously denied. Iran’s foreign ministry was not immediately available to comment on the recent flight. Tehran has consistently denied providing the Houthi movement with missile capabilities or acting as a proxy force.
Escalation Follows Truce Collapse and Port Attacks
The arrival of the IRGC personnel preceded a series of escalating maritime threats in the region. Three days after the flight landed, Reuters reported that Tehran had asked the Houthi movement to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the United States struck Iranian power infrastructure. On Monday following the July 13 bombing of Sanaa airport, the Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. The actions marked the end of a four-year truce between Riyadh and the Houthis. On Thursday, the group stated it had attacked two Saudi oil tankers.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei offered a different account of the July 13 flight during a press conference in Tehran on July 20. Baghaei stated that the flight was intended to return a Houthi delegation that had traveled to Tehran for the funeral of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as Yemeni citizens who received medical treatment in Iran. The aircraft initially flew about 200 people to Iran on July 3 before making the return trip with the delegation and the newly arrived IRGC commanders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was on the July 13 flight to Yemen?
According to two Iranian sources, Yemen’s information minister, and a security analyst, the Mahan Air flight carried between 10 and 21 IRGC personnel and military advisers, missile and drone equipment, gold, and returning Yemeni citizens who had traveled to Iran for medical treatment and a funeral.
How have the Houthis responded to the allegations?
Houthi media official Abdel Rahman al-Ahnomi, who stated he was aboard the flight, dismissed the allegations as lies and fabrications, stating that all passengers were civilians. The Houthi movement has consistently denied being an Iranian proxy.
What impact has this deployment had on Red Sea security?
According to Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Iryani and regional security analysts, the deployment aims to strengthen Houthi military capabilities to threaten international maritime security, coinciding with Houthi announcements of a naval blockade and attacks on oil tankers.
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