Exclusive: Iran Facilitating Talks to Supply Advanced Russian Missiles to Yemen’s Houthis, Sources Report

By John Irish, Parisa Hafezi, and Jonathan Landay

UNITED NATIONS – Iran has facilitated ongoing secret negotiations between Russia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels regarding the potential transfer of anti-ship missiles to the militant group, according to three Western and regional sources. This development underscores the strengthening relationship between Tehran and Moscow.

Seven sources indicated that Russia has not yet made a final decision on whether to provide Yakhont missiles, which are also known as P-800 Oniks. Experts suggest that these missiles would enable the Houthis to accurately target commercial vessels in the Red Sea, posing an increased threat to U.S. and European warships tasked with their protection.

In July, reports emerged that Russia was contemplating the missile transfer. Iran’s involvement as a mediator in these discussions had not been revealed until now.

Since November, the Houthis have conducted multiple drone and missile attacks on ships traversing the crucial Red Sea shipping channels, framing their actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict with Israel. They have succeeded in sinking at least two vessels and capturing another, disrupting international maritime trade, leading to cargo diversions, and increasing insurance costs for vessels in the Red Sea.

In retaliation, the United States and Britain have targeted Houthi positions but have been unable to prevent further assaults by the group.

Two regional officials familiar with the negotiations indicated that Houthis and Russian representatives met in Tehran on at least two occasions this year. Discussions around supplying dozens of missiles, which have a range of approximately 300 km (186 miles), are continuing, with more meetings in Tehran anticipated in the coming weeks.

Previously, Russia has supplied the Yakhont missile to Iran-backed Hezbollah. One source noted that these talks began under the administration of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in May.

A Western intelligence source stated, "Russia is negotiating with the Houthis for the transfer of Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles. The Iranians are facilitating the discussions but prefer to remain uninvolved officially."

Requests for comments from Iran’s U.N. mission and the Russian Defense Ministry went unanswered. In response to inquiries regarding the negotiations, Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel-Salam claimed ignorance of the discussions.

A senior U.S. official did not specify the systems being considered for transfer but confirmed that there have been discussions between Russia and the Houthis about supplying missiles, describing the situation as "very worrisome." Another U.S. Defense Department official stated that any enhancement of the Houthis’ capabilities would threaten international interests in ensuring freedom of navigation and stability in the Red Sea and the wider Middle East.

CLOSER RUSSIA-IRAN LINKS

As Russia faces challenges from Ukraine, Iran and Russia have strengthened their military ties, with claims that Tehran has supplied ballistic missiles to Moscow for use in Ukraine.

Three sources suggest that one reason Moscow is keen to arm the Houthis may be a countermeasure to any potential moves by Western nations to assist Ukraine in striking deeper into Russian territory.

The senior U.S. official noted that the talks between Russia and the Houthis seem to reflect the dynamics of U.S. support for Ukraine, particularly regarding long-range weapon usage.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could provide advanced long-range weapons to adversaries of the West, similar to those supplied by the United States and its allies to Ukraine.

The Yakhont missile is regarded as one of the globe’s most advanced anti-ship missiles, capable of skimming the ocean’s surface to evade detection while traveling at more than twice the speed of sound, challenging interception efforts.

‘GAME CHANGER’ FOR REGIONAL SECURITY

Fabian Hinz, a ballistic missile expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, remarked that the transfer of Yakhont missiles to the Houthis would significantly alter the regional security landscape. He stated, "The P-800 is a far more capable system than the anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles the Houthis have previously employed."

Should the Houthis acquire these missiles, they could target U.S., British, and other warships currently protecting commercial vessels from Houthi attacks, as well as utilize them as land-attack weapons, which would pose a serious threat to Saudi Arabia.

During a summer visit to Saudi Arabia, a U.S. delegation discussed the negotiations with Saudi officials and has also addressed the issue with Moscow. Saudi concerns have been communicated directly to the Russians.

Hinz highlighted that Russia would need to provide assistance with the technical delivery aspects of the missiles, ensuring that the transfer and operationalization occur undetected by U.S. forces. Additionally, the Houthis would require training on how to operate the systems.

The senior U.S. official emphasized the potential consequences of such a transfer, warning, "The Saudis are alarmed. We are alarmed, and other regional partners are alarmed. The Houthis have already caused significant disruption in the Red Sea, and this transfer would empower them further."