The Secretary of State accused Iran of flying members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into Yemen, saying Tehran's actions helped ignite a renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Rubio told reporters that Iran had sent direct flights from Tehran into Yemen, carrying IRGC elements and others into the country, prompting the Saudis to respond. However, he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
The Houthis have declared a blockade targeting Saudi-linked vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening to widen the conflict and disrupt another critical global trade route. The rebels claim they are targeting ships connected to Saudi Arabia or traveling to and from the kingdom's Red Sea ports in retaliation for Saudi restrictions on Yemen and a recent attack on the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa.
The Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport, marking one of the most serious confrontations between the two sides in years. The US Secretary of State stated that U.S. officials have spoken repeatedly with Saudi officials about the Houthi threat.
Rubio warned that allowing Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls from ships that refused to comply would set a dangerous precedent for international waterways around the world. He stated that Iran's support for the Houthis reflects a broader pattern of backing armed groups across the Middle East.
The US Secretary of State emphasized that anything that restricts shipping through the Red Sea would be problematic for the same reasons that the Strait of Hormuz is problematic. The narrow strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
Saudi Arabia's military has vowed to keep Bab el-Mandeb open and respond firmly to Houthi threats against commercial vessels using the waterway. The Houthis say the blockade is limited to Saudi-linked shipping, but their earlier campaign connected to the war in Gaza saw them attack over 100 vessels, including ships with little or no apparent connection to Israel.
The US Secretary of State also warned that if there is a blockade, the US will take care of business. The US military has been carrying out strikes against targets in Iran, including aircraft hangars and drone storage sites, for the 11th consecutive night.
