Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations — Statement at the UN Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East (Yemen) (10193rd Meeting)
13 July 2026
Mr. President,
I welcome the convening of this emergency Security Council meeting, a request which France supported. I thank the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, Mr. Khaled Khiari, as well as the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, for their briefings. I welcome the participation in this meeting of Yemen’s Permanent Representative.
Mr. President,
France reaffirms its full commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yemen. By landing aircrafts in Sana’a on July 3 and then in Hodeidah today, July 13, without the consent of the legitimate authorities, Iran has undermined that sovereignty and violated international law. France firmly condemns this violation.
This incident is not an isolated one: it reflects Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region, as illustrated by the resumption of clashes in the Persian Gulf since July 7 and the announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. These actions must cease immediately and permanently. By supporting the Houthis, Tehran poses a threat to international peace and security and violates this Council’s resolutions by breaching its obligations under arms embargo established by resolution 2216 (2015) and extended to the Houthis as an entity by resolution 2624 (2022). France expects Iran to fully comply with its international obligations and to put an end to all transfers of military equipment for the benefit of the Houthis.
Mr. President,
France also demands the cessation of destabilizing actions by the Houthis. They have once again targeted Saudi Arabia today. France reiterates its solidarity with Saudi Arabia. They also threatened vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea. They must immediately cease their attacks and stop carrying out their threats. France reiterates the need to preserve maritime security and freedom of navigation, which this Council demanded in its resolution 2722 (2024). To that end, France will continue its engagement through the European operation EU-NAVFOR ASPIDES, in accordance with international law, in a strictly defensive posture, and in coordination with its European and international partners.
In addition, the Houthis continue to persistently and deliberately obstruct humanitarian action. France demands the immediate and unconditional release of all United Nations personnel, non-governmental organization staff, and diplomatic mission personnel arbitrarily detained by the Houthis. These detentions, like the attacks on humanitarian personnel, are unacceptable and contrary to international humanitarian law, Resolution 2730 (2024), and international human rights law. Moreover, they hinder the delivery of aid that the civilian population urgently needs. Women and children are paying the heaviest price, as the Assistant Secretary-General reminded us.
Mr. President,
There is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. That is why France fully supports the efforts of the Special Envoy, Mr. Hans Grundberg. The recent prisoner release agreement announced on May 14 was a step in the right direction: we call for its implementation without delay. We reiterate that only an inclusive political process, under the auspices of the United Nations and involving women and all of Yemeni society, can bring this crisis to an end.
Thank you.