Tehran rejects EU claim of Iran’s interference in Yemen-Saudi war
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei strongly rejected as “baseless” the European Union’s (EU) allegation of Iran’s interference in the ongoing conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, slamming the bloc for its complicity in human rights violations in Yemen through the imposition of sanctions on the impoverished Arab country.
Baqaei’s remarks on Thursday were made in direct response to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who claimed in a formal statement that Iran militarily supports the Yemeni armed forces in what she called a “violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
Baqaei stressed that the European bloc is complicit in flagrant human rights violations in Yemen through the imposition of sanctions and an economic siege against the impoverished Arab nation.
The EU cannot escape responsibility by making deflective statements, Baqaei stressed.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also strongly rejected allegations concerning the presence of Iranian military experts in Yemen, emphasizing that such “fabricated” reports are aimed at concealing the facts and diverting public attention.
He also noted that the Yemeni people have demonstrated their ability, experience, courage and determination to defend their national sovereignty and human dignity, stressing that they do not need any foreign intervention to achieve this goal.
He also condemned military strikes on various parts of Yemen, particularly attacks on civilian facilities, vital infrastructure and residential areas, which have killed more than 270 people, including 130 women and children, injured more than 650 others, and destroyed homes and infrastructure.
Baqaei called for an end to violations of Yemen’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The establishment of peace in the Arabian Peninsula requires an end to military attacks, respect for the Yemeni people’s right to self-determination, an end to the country’s naval and air blockade, and dialogue based on a roadmap agreed upon by Yemenis and Saudis,” he stressed, adding that Iran is ready to provide any assistance toward achieving peace.
In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its allies enforced a blockade on Yemen, launching a wide-ranging military campaign that received military, political, and logistical backing from the United States and various Western nations.