Iran Brokers Talks to Provide Russian Missiles to Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Latest Developments

Iran is brokering talks between Russia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen to provide the terrorist group with Russian-made anti-ship missiles, Reuters reported on September 24. “Seven sources said that Russia has yet to decide to transfer the Yakhont missiles — also known as P-800 Oniks — which experts said would allow the militant group to more accurately strike commercial vessels in the Red Sea and increase the threat to the U.S. and European warships defending them,” Reuters noted. Officials from Moscow and the Houthis met at least twice this year in Tehran to discuss the potential arms transfer, which could entail dozens of missiles with a range of about 186 miles.

The Reuters report came on the same day that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the United Nations General Assembly, where he said Tehran opposes aggression in the region. “We seek peace for all and have no intention of conflict with any country. … Iran opposes war and emphasizes the need for an immediate cessation of military conflict in Ukraine,” Pezeshkian said.

Expert Analysis

“Iran’s willingness to serve as a bridge between the Houthis and Russia is proof positive that Tehran is running a transnational terrorist express. If the Houthis are able to employ Russian supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles in conjunction with the drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles they are already firing, it would put their maritime threat to Red Sea traffic on steroids.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Senior Fellow

“By raising the specter of providing anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, Moscow is attempting to deter the United States from allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles for strikes inside Russia. This threat cannot be ignored, but nor should U.S. officials discount the significant benefits of untying Ukraine’s hands. While Russia may have moved most of its Su-34 strike fighters beyond the range of Kyiv’s Western missiles, Ukraine could still use Western missiles to degrade Russian logistics, command and control, and air defenses. This could undermine Russia’s offensive in the Donbas, support Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast, and facilitate further Ukrainian strikes using its indigenously produced drones.” — John Hardie, Deputy Director of FDD’s Russia Program

Russia-Iran Military Cooperation

Russia’s potential provision of anti-ship missiles to the Houthis comes amid a burgeoning relationship between Moscow and Tehran. It also indicates an increased Iranian willingness to destabilize the Middle East in conjunction with other countries outside the region. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tehran has provided thousands of drones to Moscow while seeking advanced military equipment in return.

Russia and Iran are also sharing intelligence and harassing American forces in Syria as part of a joint effort to drive the United States out of the region. In April 2024, Sergei Shoigu, then Russia’s defense minister, and his Iranian counterpart, Gharaei Ashtiani, discussed enhanced security ties during a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kazakhstan. In their conversation, Shoigu highlighted a significant increase in military contacts between Tehran and Moscow.

Iran Supplies Russia With Ballistic Missiles

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on September 10 that Tehran is supplying Russia with Fath-360 close-range ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken stated that “Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians.” He added that the missiles have “a maximum range of 75 miles” and will allow “Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets that are further from the front line, while dedicating new missiles it’s receiving from Iran for closer-range targets.”

Houthi Aggression

Houthi projectiles have repeatedly targeted shipping in the Red Sea as well as Israel. A missile launched by the Houthis targeting central Israel set off sirens in dozens of areas on the morning of September 15 and spread fragments throughout central Israel, starting a fire. After reviewing the incident, the Israel Defense Forces concluded that Israel’s aerial defense systems hit the missile and it “fragmented but was not destroyed.” Following the missile launch, the Houthis threatened to carry out more attacks on Israel.

Related Analysis

“Blinken Confirms Iranian Ballistic Missile Transfers to Russia,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iranian Lawmaker Admits Tehran Sent Missiles to Russia,” FDD Flash Brief

“Russia Reportedly Delivers Air Defense, Radar Equipment to Iran,” FDD Flash Brief