Iran waded into the crisis in Yemen Wednesday, sending a destroyer and another naval vessel to back the Houthi rebels against the Saudi-led coalition, which for more than two weeks has been bombing targets around the Yemeni capital of Sanaa.
The move comes as the United States reiterated its commitment to the Saudi-led coalition, sending further arms and increasing intelligence-sharing, plus refueling the alliance's fighter jets.
The Iranian fleet has been stationed in Yemeni waters to combat piracy and to “safeguard naval routes for vessels in the region,” Iranian Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told Press TV.
The Iranian government criticized Saudi authorities Wednesday for the crimes against humanity it was committing in the intensifying airstrikes, which have already claimed hundreds of civilian lives.
“We need to work together to put an end to the crisis in Yemen,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “The people of Yemen should not suffer from aerial bombardment.”
Also Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that Washington was aware that Iran was supporting the Houthi forces, and that U.S. forces would continue to support states who felt threatened by Iran.
"We're not looking for confrontation, obviously, but we're not going to step away from our alliances and our friendships and the need to stand with those who feel threatened as a consequence of the choices that Iran might be making," Kerry said in an interview with PBS Newshour.