Four sources — two Iranian, Yemen’s information minister and a regional security
analyst — say Iran on July 13 flew an IRGC commander, military advisers and
missile- and drone-related equipment to Yemen on a Mahan Air flight. The
aircraft, carrying 10–21 IRGC personnel including a senior commander, diverted
to Red Sea port Hodeidah after a planned landing in Houthi-held Sanaa was
disrupted by an attack on the airport by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
One source said the commander was sent to support Houthi operations and provide
training on new missile systems; the same source said Iran also transported gold
on the flight to fund Houthi activity. The transfer indicates Tehran is seeking
to bolster its Houthi ally’s ability to threaten Red Sea shipping.
