From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Iran reportedly flew IRGC commanders, missile gear to Yemen’s Houthis
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Iran flew Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, military advisers and missile- and drone-related equipment into Yemen this month, according to four sources, in a move that suggests Tehran is seeking to strengthen the ability of its Houthi allies to threaten Red Sea shipping.
Four sources familiar with the matter, including two Iranian sources, Yemen’s information minister and a regional security analyst, say Iran transferred the IRGC personnel and military-related equipment on a flight from Tehran to Yemen on July 13 — a development that has not been previously reported.
The two Iranian sources tell Reuters that between 10 and 21 IRGC personnel, including senior commanders, were on the Mahan Air flight.
The plane was originally bound for the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, but diverted to the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah after the airport came under attack by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
“The IRGC commanders traveled there to support Houthi operations and provide training on new missile systems,” one of the sources says, adding that Iran also sent gold on the aircraft to fund Houthi activities.
The deployment offers fresh evidence of Iran’s efforts to bolster the Houthis, who have been in a civil war against the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government for more than a decade and have attacked Gulf neighbors, and Israel, with missiles and drones.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.