Why it matters:
Washington has repeatedly accused Tehran of having direct role in Ansarullah’s military actions, including attacks on Israeli shipping. Salami’s remarks reinforce Iran’s long-standing position that Yemen’s Ansarullah movement operates independently.
The big picture:
Yemen’s Supreme Political Council has condemned the deadly U.S. aggression against the country in support of the Israeli regime, pledging that the nation will punish the criminal regime in a “painful” manner.
It made the announcement on Sunday, a day after the United States carried out large-scale military strikes on the Yemeni capital of Sana'a and the provinces of Sa’ada, Dhamar, Hajjah, and al-Bayda. At least 31 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the aerial and naval attacks ordered by US President Donald Trump.
What he’s saying:
General Salami said: "Iran will never start a war but will respond decisively if threatened. The U.S. president’s claim that Iran directs Ansarullah’s actions is false and part of a broader pressure campaign."
He added: "Yemenis are an independent and sovereign nation with self-determined policies. Ansarullah makes its own strategic and operational decisions as a representative of the Yemeni people."
Go deeper:
Salami’s statement aligns with the reality of the axis of resistance in the ground that regional resistance groups act autonomously, despite long-standing U.S. and Western accusations of Iranian backing.
Mojtaba Darabi
