Yemen crisis: Kerry warns Iran over Houthi rebel 'support'
Militiamen loyal to the president have been unable to halt the rebel advance on AdenUS Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Iran over its alleged support for Houthi rebels in Yemen.
He said the US would support any state in the Middle East that felt threatened by Iran, and would not "stand by" if Iran destabilised the region.
The US is backing a Saudi-led coalition seeking to drive back the rebels and restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who fled the country last month.
Iran has denied accusations it is providing military aid to the Houthis.
However, it despatched two navy vessels to the Gulf of Aden, off the southern coast of Yemen, on Wednesday.
The BBC's Orla Guerin was on the Air India plane which flew in to Yemen to rescue foreign nationals trapped by fighting
Navy commander Rear Adm Habibollah Sayyari told state media the move was made with the aim of "safeguarding naval routes for vessels in the region".
Meanwhile, aid supplies have begun reaching Yemen after a series of delays, as the humanitarian situation deteriorates amid continued fighting.
'Supply flights'
Speaking to PBS Newshour on Wednesday, Mr Kerry said it was clear Iran was aiding the Houthis: "There are obviously supplies that have been coming from Iran. There are a number of flights every single week that have been flying in."
"Iran needs to recognise that the US is not going to stand by while the region is destabilised or while people engage in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries and other countries," he added.
Fighting has intensified in the city of Aden between the Houthis and militiamen loyal to President Hadi.
Meanwhile, warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition have continued to bomb rebel targets across the country.
On Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for a halt to the air campaign and said countries in the region should work together to resolve the crisis.
"A great nation like Yemen will not submit to bombing. Come, let us all think about ending war. Let us think about a ceasefire," he said in a speech. "Let us prepare to bring Yemenis to the negotiating table to make decisions about their future."
The southern city of Aden has seen fierce fighting
There are fuel shortages in the Yemeni capital Sanaa
The Saudi-led coalition has been targeting Houthi positions since the end of March
At least 22 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday by shelling in two residential districts in Aden.
After days of street fighting, conditions for civilians have been described as catastrophic by aid groups.
On Wednesday, boats carrying aid managed to reach Aden for the first time since the air campaign began on 25 March.
A ship carrying 1.7 tonnes of medical aid for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and another International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) boat carrying medical supplies and staff, docked at the port city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that at least 560 people, including 76 children, were killed in Yemen between 19 March and 4 April. Another 1,700 people were wounded and 100,000 fled their homes.
Who is fighting whom?
Houthis - The Zaidi Shia Muslim rebels from the north overran Sanaa last year and then expanded their control. They want to replace Mr Hadi, whose government they say is corrupt. The US alleges Iran is providing military assistance to the rebels.
Ali Abdullah Saleh - Military units loyal to the former president - forced to hand over power in 2011 after mass protests - are fighting alongside the Houthis.
Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - The president fled abroad in March as the rebels advanced on Aden, where he had taken refuge in February. Loyal soldiers, Sunni Muslim tribesmen and Southern separatists have formed militia to fight the rebels.
Saudi-led coalition - A US-backed coalition of nine, mostly Sunni Arab states says it is seeking to "defend the legitimate government" of Mr Hadi.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi. A rival affiliate of Islamic State has also recently emerged.
Navy commander Rear Adm Habibollah Sayyari told state media the move was made with the aim of "safeguarding naval routes for vessels in the region".
Meanwhile, aid supplies have begun reaching Yemen after a series of delays, as the humanitarian situation deteriorates amid continued fighting.
'Supply flights'
Speaking to PBS Newshour on Wednesday, Mr Kerry said it was clear Iran was aiding the Houthis: "There are obviously supplies that have been coming from Iran. There are a number of flights every single week that have been flying in."
"Iran needs to recognise that the US is not going to stand by while the region is destabilised or while people engage in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries and other countries," he added.
Fighting has intensified in the city of Aden between the Houthis and militiamen loyal to President Hadi.
Meanwhile, warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition have continued to bomb rebel targets across the country.
On Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called for a halt to the air campaign and said countries in the region should work together to resolve the crisis.
"A great nation like Yemen will not submit to bombing. Come, let us all think about ending war. Let us think about a ceasefire," he said in a speech. "Let us prepare to bring Yemenis to the negotiating table to make decisions about their future."
The southern city of Aden has seen fierce fightingThere are fuel shortages in the Yemeni capital SanaaThe Saudi-led coalition has been targeting Houthi positions since the end of MarchAt least 22 people were reportedly killed on Wednesday by shelling in two residential districts in Aden.
After days of street fighting, conditions for civilians have been described as catastrophic by aid groups.
On Wednesday, boats carrying aid managed to reach Aden for the first time since the air campaign began on 25 March.
A ship carrying 1.7 tonnes of medical aid for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and another International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) boat carrying medical supplies and staff, docked at the port city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that at least 560 people, including 76 children, were killed in Yemen between 19 March and 4 April. Another 1,700 people were wounded and 100,000 fled their homes.
Who is fighting whom?
Houthis - The Zaidi Shia Muslim rebels from the north overran Sanaa last year and then expanded their control. They want to replace Mr Hadi, whose government they say is corrupt. The US alleges Iran is providing military assistance to the rebels.
Ali Abdullah Saleh - Military units loyal to the former president - forced to hand over power in 2011 after mass protests - are fighting alongside the Houthis.
Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - The president fled abroad in March as the rebels advanced on Aden, where he had taken refuge in February. Loyal soldiers, Sunni Muslim tribesmen and Southern separatists have formed militia to fight the rebels.
Saudi-led coalition - A US-backed coalition of nine, mostly Sunni Arab states says it is seeking to "defend the legitimate government" of Mr Hadi.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi. A rival affiliate of Islamic State has also recently emerged.
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