RismadarVoice Reporters
September 30, 2026
Iran has rejected suggestions that it directed or played a decisive role in the Houthis’ recent military gains in Yemen, as the group expands its control along the country’s western coast.
Reports citing unnamed United States officials and military personnel alleged that members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, helped coordinate a Houthi offensive that resulted in the capture of strategic areas around the Red Sea coast.
The allegations included claims that Iranian advisers provided communications assistance, satellite intelligence analysis and other military support to Houthi commanders.
Iran has repeatedly denied directing the Houthis, maintaining that Ansar Allah, as the group is formally known, operates independently.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also rejected suggestions of direct Iranian involvement in the Houthis’ recent operations and called for negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni group.
Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to assist efforts aimed at resolving the longstanding conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has similarly rejected US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s description of the Houthis as an Iranian proxy.
However, the IRGC praised the Houthis’ recent advances, describing them as a “divine triumph” following years of fighting.
The Houthis made significant territorial gains in September, including the capture of Mocha, Dhubab and Mayyun Island, also known as Perim Island.
The advances strengthened the group’s position along Yemen’s western coastline and around the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The developments have also reduced the internationally recognised Yemeni government’s access to parts of the Red Sea coast.
Previous international assessments have alleged that the Houthis received military training, weapons, technology and technical assistance from Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other regional actors.
Analysts have, however, cautioned against treating such assistance as evidence that Tehran exercises direct operational control over the group.
Fighting has continued around strategic areas in Taiz and Lahij as Houthi forces seek to consolidate their territorial gains while forces aligned with the internationally recognised government attempt to recover lost positions.
The latest developments have also prompted increased diplomatic activity involving Saudi Arabia and other regional governments amid concerns over the security of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.
The Houthis have said they do not intend to disrupt international shipping following their territorial advances but have maintained threats against vessels they consider linked to Saudi Arabia.
The developments come amid wider tensions involving Iran, the United States and their regional partners, while diplomatic contacts continue through mediators seeking to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
