The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting following reports of unauthorized Iranian flights to and from Yemen. UN officials and member state representatives warned that Yemen must not be drawn further into regional instability.

Most Council members called for de-escalation, dialogue, and an inclusive political process led and owned by the Yemeni people.

According to the UN, rising tensions threaten to undermine Yemen’s fragile calm and worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis, marked by acute food insecurity, cuts in humanitarian funding, and the collapse of healthcare and other essential services.

Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, stressed that Yemen’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and independence must be fully respected, including its national airspace, in accordance with international law.

She called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from actions that threaten Yemen’s sovereignty, and support efforts toward de-escalation, peace, and stability in the country.

Ambassador Balta also reaffirmed Greece’s strong support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg to facilitate an inclusive political process led and owned by the Yemeni people under UN auspices.

She further emphasized the importance of full compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the existing UN sanctions regime, calling on all member states to ensure its full, effective, and consistent implementation.

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Statement of Greece at UNSC 10193rd meeting on Yemen

Yemen’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, said the recent developments in his country represent “a real test” of the principles on which the international system is founded, particularly respect for sovereignty and non-interference.

He explained that Yemen requested the emergency meeting because the recent unauthorized flight constitutes “an extremely dangerous precedent,” raising questions about whether the Security Council is capable of upholding the rules of the international system.

“We are facing a deliberate attempt to impose a fait accompli,” he warned.

He condemned the flights, saying they bypass Yemen’s legitimate government, defy Security Council resolutions, test the UN sanctions regime, and turn civil aviation into “a tool for achieving military and political objectives” that are incompatible with international law.

He added that the use of Sana’a International Airport, which is not under the control of Yemen’s legitimate government, could encourage armed groups to exploit civilian infrastructure outside the authority of recognized governments.

The July 3 flight was intended to transport members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—including drone and missile specialists—to support Houthi terrorist activities, according to US Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Tammy Bruce.

“Such support enables the Houthis to terrorize the Yemeni people and threaten freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways,” she said, describing it as yet another example of Iran’s overt support for the group.

She noted that Houthi leaders had publicly praised the recent flight as a “successful circumvention” of international efforts to isolate them, citing Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), which imposes a targeted arms embargo and other measures.

The United States stands with its Gulf partners and Yemen’s government against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist threat, she added.

Bahrain’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, condemned Houthi terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia.

He described the current situation as “extremely sensitive,” amid serious and repeated violations committed by the Houthis in Yemen with Iranian support.

He also condemned Iran’s continued actions against Gulf Cooperation Council states, as well as the ongoing disruption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthi threats have expanded, he said, and now include threats to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in violation of Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024).

That resolution calls on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks that disrupt international trade and undermine the rights and freedoms of navigation.

Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari stressed that “recent developments in Yemen are a stark reminder that there is no alternative to an inclusive political process led and owned by the Yemeni people.”

Reviewing recent events, he said that on July 3, 2026, an Iranian aircraft reportedly flew from Tehran to Sana’a International Airport before returning to Tehran.

According to reports, the aircraft carried a Houthi delegation attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader.

Yemen’s government viewed the flight “with deep concern,” considering it a violation of the country’s sovereignty and airspace.

Today, another Iranian aircraft reportedly carrying a returning Houthi delegation from Tehran landed at Hodeidah Airport.

The flights followed reports of airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport, which the Houthis blamed on Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s government said the strikes targeted the airport’s runway in an effort to prevent the Iranian aircraft from landing.

The government had previously warned Iran against conducting unauthorized flights to Yemen and pledged to take all necessary measures.

Following reports of the airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport, the Houthis declared “the end of the de-escalation phase” with Saudi Arabia and reportedly launched ballistic missiles toward the kingdom, all of which were intercepted.

Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Indrika Ratwatte warned that “the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is worsening at precisely the moment our ability to respond has been dramatically reduced.”

Across the country, he said, families are facing a devastating combination of hunger, economic decline, forced displacement, disease outbreaks, and the collapse of essential services.

He also urged all parties and those with influence over them to exercise restraint.

“Do not allow Yemen to be drawn further into regional instability,” he warned.

UN Security Council extends reporting requirement on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea – Greece and US jointly drafted the resolution

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2826, jointly submitted by Greece and the United States, extending for another six months the UN Secretary-General’s obligation to report on Houthi attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.

The resolution received the support of 13 Security Council members, while Russia and China abstained.

Under the resolution, the Secretary-General will continue to brief the Security Council on Houthi attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, enabling members to remain informed about developments affecting vessels operating along the key maritime route.

The six-month extension maintains the existing reporting mechanism and ensures the Council’s continued oversight of attacks on commercial shipping in the region.

In her explanation of vote, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, welcomed the adoption of the resolution and thanked the United States for co-authoring it with Greece, as well as Security Council members for their constructive cooperation.

She stressed that the threat posed by Houthi attacks against international shipping and freedom of navigation remains acute, noting that the extension of the monthly reporting requirement provides a reliable basis for monitoring and verifying the attacks.

She also highlighted Greece’s continued contribution to safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation through its leadership and operational role in the European Union’s Operation ASPIDES.