Iran has started using submarines to deliver weapons to Houthi forces in Yemen, according to a report citing European officials and intelligence assessments.
The Wall Street Journal said the shift came after American and Israeli strikes targeted conventional shipping routes previously used to move arms. Officials indicated that the deliveries include not only weapons but also real-time intelligence and tactical guidance for Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and other targets.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel are also reported to be training Houthi fighters in Yemen on missile assembly and the use of advanced systems. Separate accounts describe the use of Mahan Air flights to transport weapons components and drones into Houthi-controlled areas.
The support has allowed the Houthis to maintain control over large parts of Yemen’s coastline and to disrupt international shipping in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of direct involvement in attacks on its territory. Tehran has denied the allegations.
Western military analysts say the pattern of recent Houthi strikes shows clear signs of Iranian technical assistance. The use of submarines is viewed as a way to evade interception on surface routes that have become more heavily monitored.
The development adds another layer to the regional tensions surrounding the Yemen conflict and the broader rivalry between Iran and Gulf states.