Iran rejected the United States' accusations that the Houthi rebels are affiliated with Tehran, arguing that the Ansarullah movement is an independent Yemeni actor that makes its own decisions. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that "Marco Rubio's lies cannot replace facts" and that the Houthis "receive orders from no one nor act as representatives of anyone".
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, had stated on Tuesday that "the Houthis are, in many respects, agents and representatives of Iranians" and that "behind part of this is Iran's hand", pointing as an example the rebels' attacks against Saudi Arabia and against the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The US embassy in Yemen stated on social media that "the Houthis' actions triggered the current escalation with the, widely documented, support of Iran".
Baqaei stressed that "the roots of instability in the region lie in the military interventions and hegemonic policies of the United States", adding that if Washington truly wanted peace it should end its interventions in the region. The Iranian spokesperson argued that "peace in Yemen cannot be imposed through bombs and external pressure" and that it must begin "with genuine negotiations based on the script agreed upon by the parties".
On Wednesday, the military coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia reported ballistic missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against three Saudi locations, namely Jamis Mushait, Abha and Jizan. The Houthis, for their part, reported drone attacks by Riyadh against districts in Saada province, in northwestern Yemen.
