Senator Marco Rubio accused Iran on Wednesday of flying members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) into Yemen, stating that Tehran’s actions helped ignite a renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Rubio told reporters that Iran "decided to send direct flights from Tehran into Yemen, carrying IRGC elements and others into the country." He made these remarks while attending an annual gathering of Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers in Manila, Philippines, where U.S.-Iran conflict and threats to international shipping were central security concerns.
The Houthis have declared a blockade targeting Saudi-linked vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial global trade route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This waterway is vital for shipping between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal, normally handling about 12% of global trade and approximately one-quarter of worldwide container traffic.
The rebels state their actions are in retaliation for Saudi restrictions on Yemen and a recent attack on the airport in the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa. They blamed Saudi Arabia for the airport attack, which they claim was intended to intercept a flight carrying Houthi leaders home from Iran. Rubio disputed this account.
Following the airport incident, the Houthis launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Rubio indicated that U.S. officials have been in frequent communication with Saudi counterparts regarding the Houthi threat. He noted that any disruption to shipping through the Red Sea would be as problematic as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "So we’re watching that closely."
Saudi Arabia’s military has committed to maintaining open passage through the Bab el-Mandeb and responding assertively to threats against commercial vessels. The importance of Red Sea export routes has grown for Saudi Arabia as the U.S.-Iran conflict has curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
In Sanaa, Yemen, a pro-Iranian demonstration took place on April 6, 2026, amidst ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
The Houthi-run SABA news agency claimed six vessels had altered course after receiving warnings, though this claim could not be independently verified. The Houthis assert the blockade is confined to Saudi-linked shipping, but during a previous campaign related to the war in Gaza, they attacked over 100 vessels, some with no apparent connection to Israel.
President Donald Trump commented that the Houthi threat had not yet materialized but added, "I think that if there is something like that, we’ll just have to take care of business."
Rubio's allegations coincide with ongoing U.S. military strikes against targets in Iran, which marked an 11th consecutive night according to U.S. Central Command, targeting sites including aircraft hangars and drone storage facilities.
Rubio also cautioned Southeast Asian leaders that allowing Iran to control international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, by imposing tolls and attacking non-compliant ships, would set a dangerous global precedent.
He further stated that Iran's support for the Houthis exemplifies a wider pattern of backing armed groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah, militias in Iraq, and Hamas, asserting that Tehran prioritizes these organizations over its own population.