Russia intends to transfer powerful anti-ship missiles to Yemeni terrorists
Russia to provide missiles to Yemeni terrorists (Getty Images)
Iran has acted as a mediator in secret negotiations between Russia and Yemeni Houthis regarding the transfer of anti-ship missiles to the group. Currently, the Houthis are targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, according to Reuters.
Seven sources have stated that Russia has not yet decided to transfer Yakhont missiles (also known as P-800 Onyx). According to experts, these missiles would allow the militant group to more accurately strike commercial vessels in the Red Sea and increase the threat to those protecting them, such as US and European naval ships.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Russia was considering sending the missiles. Iran's role as a mediator had not been previously disclosed.
Since November, the Houthis have repeatedly launched drone and missile strikes on vessels along key Red Sea shipping routes, in a show of support for Palestinians in the war against Israel in Gaza.
They have sunk at least two ships and seized another, disrupting global maritime trade, forcing shipping companies to reroute cargo, and raising insurance costs for vessels operating in the Red Sea.
In response, the US and US have carried out strikes on Houthi positions, but these actions have failed to stop the group’s attacks.
Two regional officials, briefed on the negotiations, confirmed that the Houthis and Russians have met in Tehran at least twice this year. Talks regarding the supply of dozens of missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers are ongoing, with more meetings expected in Tehran in the coming weeks.
Previously, Russia supplied Yakhont missiles to Hezbollah, an organization backed by Iran.
One source said that the negotiations began under Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in May in a helicopter crash.
"Russia is negotiating with the Houthis for the transfer of Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles," said a Western intelligence source. "The Iranians are brokering the talks but do not want to have their signature over it."
Response to Western permission for Ukraine to strike Moscow with Western-supplied weapons
Russia and Iran are strengthening military ties amid Russia's war against Ukraine. Earlier this month, the US said that Tehran had provided ballistic missiles to Moscow for use against Ukraine.
According to three sources, one reason Moscow is arming the Houthis is the possibility that Western countries may permit Ukraine to use their weapons to strike Russian territory.
A senior US official said that the Russia-Houthi negotiations are "likely linked to our stance on Ukraine and what we are or aren’t willing to do" regarding Kyiv's requests to lift restrictions on the use of US-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow could send advanced long-range weapons to enemies of the West worldwide, similar to those that the US and its allies are providing to Ukraine.
The Yakhont is considered one of the world’s most advanced anti-ship missiles. It is designed to skim the surface of the sea to avoid detection, traveling at twice the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept.
