Iran denies involvement in recent Houthi missile attacks on Aden airport

Iran has denied any involvement in the recent missile attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on the international airport in Yemen’s interim capital, Aden, according to a statement from the Iranian foreign ministry on Friday.

The missile strikes on Aden airport, which occurred late on Friday, mark the second such incident in less than two weeks. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, stating the attack targeted the headquarters of the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Since early October, the Houthis have launched more than 20 attacks on airports and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, escalating tensions in the region. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of backing the Houthi escalation, but Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei rejected these claims, emphasizing that Yemen’s armed forces act independently and that Iran does not seek to escalate tensions.

Baqaei also reiterated Iran’s readiness to mediate between the conflicting parties to help end the hostilities.

The intensification of Houthi attacks comes after their rapid offensive in Yemen in September, where they seized strategic territory along the Red Sea coast, a critical route for global shipping. This escalation adds pressure on Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, amid already volatile global energy markets following earlier regional conflicts.