Rubio claims Iran flew IRGC personnel into Yemen to back Houthis

Key Points:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of flying Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members directly into Yemen, escalating the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, though he provided no specific evidence or numbers.
• The Houthis have imposed a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, threatening a vital global trade route, in retaliation for Saudi restrictions on Yemen and a recent attack on the Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport.
• Rubio warned that Iran's attempts to control key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea risk setting a dangerous international precedent, while the U.S. continues military strikes against Iranian targets.
• Saudi Arabia has pledged to keep the Bab el-Mandeb Strait open and respond firmly to Houthi threats, as the strait is crucial for global shipping, connecting Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
• The escalating tensions come amid ongoing U.S.-Iran conflicts and concerns about disruptions to international shipping lanes, with Rubio emphasizing Iran’s broader pattern of supporting armed groups across the Middle East.