Sana’a— A newly released international report has revealed a significant escalation in Iran’s destabilizing activities across Yemen and the broader Middle East, highlighting its direct involvement in guiding Houthi militias to develop new smuggling routes for weapons and narcotics.

According to findings published by regional security analysts and Western intelligence agencies, Iranian operatives have intensified coordination with Houthi leadership to circumvent maritime and land interdictions. The report documents a shift toward more covert trafficking corridors through the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and remote desert crossings along Yemen’s eastern borders.

Between 2015 and 2024, at least 20 Iranian smuggling vessels were intercepted en route to Yemen, carrying advanced weaponry including ballistic missile components, UAVs, anti-tank guided missiles, and thousands of assault rifles. These shipments have enabled the Houthis to conduct over 100 attacks targeting civilian and military infrastructure in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel.

In addition to arms transfers, the report highlights Iran’s role in facilitating a transnational drug trafficking network that funds Houthi operations. Narcotics smuggled into Yemen—primarily hashish and methamphetamine—are distributed regionally, fueling instability and undermining public health and security.

Security experts warn that the expansion of Iranian logistical support to the Houthis poses a growing threat to global maritime trade, regional stability, and humanitarian efforts. The report calls for enhanced international cooperation to disrupt smuggling networks, enforce arms embargoes, and hold violators accountable.

Despite repeated UN Security Council resolutions banning arms transfers to non-state actors in Yemen, Iran’s continued defiance underscores the complexity of enforcing sanctions and the urgency of diplomatic and operational countermeasures.