Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Urges London to Tighten Restrictions on Iranian Arms Smuggling and Support Economic Reforms

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi called, during his meeting today in Aden with UK Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa, Hemi Shvockner, for tighter oversight of Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis and support for the economic reforms being implemented by the government. He stressed that these steps have become necessary to strengthen stability and protect maritime routes.

Al-Alimi confirmed that the government is implementing economic reforms that require urgent international support to resume financing from the IMF and the World Bank, praising the role of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in supporting economic stability and maintaining the cohesion of state institutions.

He also called for strengthening the British role in preventing the flow of Iranian weapons to the Houthis and tightening sanctions on their violations, stressing that the Houthis’ threat to international interests will not stop because it is tied to a broader Iranian strategy.

Al-Alimi affirmed the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council and the priority of ending the Houthi threat and restoring state institutions, while committing to a comprehensive peace process based on established references, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 2216.

For his part, the British minister reaffirmed his country’s support for the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, as well as for UN efforts to revive the political process, confirming continued work to enhance the capabilities of the Yemeni Coast Guard.