On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Iran of flying members of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly into Yemen. Rubio stated these flights contributed to reigniting confrontations between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

"They decided to send direct flights from Tehran into Yemen, carrying IRGC elements and others into the country," Rubio told reporters during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines. However, Rubio did not specify the number of personnel transported or provide evidence supporting the claim.

This escalation in the Middle East has led to a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, jeopardizing critical oil shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Rubio warned of the dangerous precedent this sets if a nation-state controls an international waterway, charges tolls, and attacks ships that do not comply.

"If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation state can decide that they are going to control an international waterway, charge a toll and if you don’t pay them blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent which will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including in this region," Rubio said.

He also highlighted Iran's broader pattern of supporting armed groups across the Middle East, including the Houthis, which he described as supporting terrorist organizations and destabilizing actors in the region.

The Houthis have previously attacked over 100 vessels during their campaign connected to the war in Gaza, including ships with little or no apparent connection to Israel.

Rubio emphasized the global economic risks, noting that restrictions on shipping through the Red Sea would be as problematic as those in the Strait of Hormuz. When asked about potential responses, he said, "I think that if there is something like that, we’ll just have to take care of business."

Sources