Iran's UN Envoy Rejects Allegations on Meddling in Yemen

In a letter to the president of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Khoshroo also elaborated on the root causes of the crisis in Yemen, particularly the Saudi-led military strikes that have killed hundreds of civilians in the Arab nation since March.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

No. 1847                                                                                                                           14 April 2015

Excellency,

Upon instruction from my government and with reference to the letter dated 31 March 2015 from the Permanent Mission of Yemen to the United Nations and its attachment which contains unfounded allegations against my Government, and further to my letter of 24 March 2015, I categorically reject such allegations that are fabricated to distract attentions from the misguided and failed policies that have led to the current political and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. I would like also to bring the followings to your kind attention:

- In principle, foreign military intervention has never led to the resolution of any dispute, and the current airstrikes against Yemen won't be an exception.

- The bombing campaign further destabilizes Yemen and could lead to a prolonged and bloody civil war. It stokes and exacerbates the ongoing conflict in the country, and, if unchecked, will turn it into a protracted torment.

- Tragically, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, ISIS and other extremist and terrorist groups in the region are the only beneficiary of the current destabilizing airstrikes and are poised to further benefit from the space created by the bombing to control larger territory in Yemen and turn it into an infesting breeding ground for their nefarious purposes.

- The conflict in Yemen is entirely local, not regional. Nor is it sectarian. The preposterous narratives trying to depict it as merely a battleground between Sunnis and Shiites are entirely erroneous and invented simply to advance the interests of the foreigners. A brief look at the recent history and societal mosaic of Yemen as well as the composition of the parties clearly demonstrate the nature of what is going on there.

- As there could never be a military solution for the conflict in that country, the immediate cessation of the bombing campaign and a genuine push for political solution is the only responsible approach to the crisis. A Yemenite-led dialogue and conciliation process among all Yemeni political and social groups is the only way to resolve the Yemeni predicament. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the United Nations led efforts in restoring peace and stability in Yemen and fully abides by its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

- As foreign military as well as terrorist attacks have deteriorated the humanitarian  situation in Yemen, Iran, while doing whatever in its power to help alleviate the plight of the Yemeni people, calls on the international community, including  international organizations, to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen. 

I would be grateful if you could have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.