Iranian envoy visits Yemen as flights resume

SANAA, Yemen (MNTV) — An Iranian envoy has visited Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital as the group announced the resumption of direct flights between Sanaa and Tehran for the first time in nearly a decade.

Yemeni media published photographs of Iranian Ambassador Ali Razaei in Sanaa, while Iran’s Mehr News Agency confirmed that an Iranian aircraft had arrived in the Yemeni capital, marking the reopening of the air route.

The flight reportedly departed Sanaa on Friday carrying a Houthi delegation to Iran ahead of funeral ceremonies for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The aircraft was operated by Iran’s Mahan Air, according to Iranian and Houthi media reports.

The development comes despite extensive damage to Sanaa International Airport following Israeli airstrikes in May that targeted Houthi-controlled infrastructure after attacks launched by the group toward Israel.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council condemned the arrival of the Iranian aircraft, describing it as a violation of the country’s sovereignty and warning that it represented a further escalation of regional tensions.

Houthi Deputy Foreign Minister Abdulwahid Abu Ras welcomed the renewed flights during a meeting with the Iranian envoy, saying the move helped ease what the group describes as restrictions imposed on Yemen.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continue participating in United Nations-backed talks aimed at reducing hostilities, with recent discussions held in Amman, Jordan.

Meanwhile, Turki Al Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, warned that any future attacks targeting Saudi Arabia would be met with what he described as an unprecedented military response.