Iran confirmed on Thursday that it was determined to support its Houthi ally in Yemen and stressed on refusing to discuss pulling out the arms of its other ally in Lebanon, “Hezbollah.”
Iranian state television quoted chief commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari as saying that the republic provides "advisory assistance" for Yemeni Houthi militants.
"Today, Yemen is ruled by Ansarullah movement, and Iran provides much-needed advisory and spiritual assistance to them. The republic will not withhold the assistance and will continue providing it,” Jafari said on Thursday.
The Iranian general lauded Iran’s allies in the region, and praised what he called the “resistance front” that stretches from Tehran to Beirut.
According to Reuters, Jafari said: “We directly deal with global arrogance and Israel, not with their emissaries... That is why we do not want to have direct confrontation with Saudi Arabia.”
The term global arrogance refers to the US.
He also said that Hezbollah must be armed to fight against the enemy of the Lebanese nation, which is Israel. “Naturally they should have the best weapons to protect Lebanon’s security. This issue is non-negotiable.”
Commenting on the situation in Syria, the Iranian general said that the “Revolutionary Guards is ready to play an active role in achieving a lasting ceasefire in Syria and the reconstruction of the country.”
“In meetings with the (Iran) government, it was agreed that the Guards were in a better position to help Syria’s reconstruction ... the preliminary talks have already been held with the Syrian government over the issue,” Jafari said.
He reiterated Tehran’s stance concerning its disputed ballistic missile work, adding that the Republic’s missile program is for defensive purposes and not up for negotiation.
“Iran will not negotiate its defensive program ... there will be no talks about it,” Jafari said.
