An exiled Iranian resistance group has uncovered evidence implicating top regime officials in supporting the Houthis in their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) provided evidence showing direct involvement of Iranian-backed groups in supplying weaponry to the Houthis in northern Yemen. The Houthis have carried out over 50 attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since October 7.
The PMOI/MEK highlighted various methods and locations used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to transport weapons such as drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, anti-ship mines, radar equipment, and communication systems to the Houthis. The group also pointed out that some missiles in the Houthis’ possession are manufactured by the Aerospace Industries Organization, a U.S. Treasury Department-sanctioned entity.
A Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report from February 2024 further corroborated Iranian support to Houthi proxies, revealing similarities between Houthi and Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles and missile systems. The report identified Iranian missiles in the Houthis’ arsenal, including the Shahab-3 (referred to as 'Toofan' by the Houthis) and a land-attack cruise missile designated as 'Quds-4.'
Following Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7, the Houthis attempted to target Israel directly on October 19. Recent reports confirmed that a Houthi cruise missile infiltrated Israel, landing near Eilat on March 18. Despite being the newest member of the ‘Axis of Resistance,’ the Houthis possess advanced long-range capabilities, including medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles, according to Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
The escalating actions of the Houthis prompted the U.S. Treasury Department to reclassify the group as a Specially Designated Terror Group in February 2024, after having revoked the designation in February 2021.
