US will not stand by as Iran backs Houthis in Yemen: Kerry

US will not stand by as Iran backs Houthis in Yemen: Kerry
Updated 09 April 2015
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US will not stand by as Iran backs Houthis in Yemen: Kerry

US will not stand by as Iran backs Houthis in Yemen: Kerry

WASHINGTON: The US will not stand by while Iran provides support to terrorists who have seized much of Yemen, Secretary of State John Kerry said.
“There have been — there are, obviously — flights coming from Iran. Every single week there are flights from Iran and we’ve traced it and know this,” Kerry told PBS television in an interview.
“Iran needs to recognize that the US is not going to stand by while the region is destabilized or while people engage in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries in other countries.”
A coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been waging an air campaign against the Houthi rebels in a bid to restore the authority of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
The Houthis have seized control of large parts of Yemen, including Sanaa, and joined forces with security forces who have remained loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Kerry said Washington was not looking for confrontation with Tehran.
“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.”
It was Kerry’s first television interview since his return to Washington after negotiating a framework agreement with Iran last week reining in its controversial nuclear program.