Iran Rejects Yemen Air Embargo, Condemns Sana'a Airport Strikes

July 20, 2026

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected the existence of any air embargo over Yemen. At a press briefing, spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that reading UN Security Council resolutions as justification for a flight blockade is factually and legally incorrect, and reiterated Tehran's broader opposition to sanctions imposed on entire populations, calling them unjust and oppressive. Baghaei also addressed the controversy surrounding a recent flight to Yemen, clarifying that the aircraft was transporting a Yemeni delegation returning from a memorial ceremony in Iran, along with Yemeni civilians who had completed medical treatment in Iranian hospitals. Separately, Iran strongly condemned the airstrikes on Sana'a International Airport, describing the damage to civilian and municipal infrastructure as a clear violation of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stated such incidents must not be repeated.

Iran's FM spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejects any UNSC-based air embargo on Yemen, clarifies the disputed flight carried a returning delegation and treated civilians, and condemns the Sana'a airport strikes as a sovereignty violation.

Source Statement

Speaker: Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Translation (English):

We do not recognize the existence of an air embargo against Yemen. We believe that such an interpretation of the UN Security Council resolutions is incorrect. We consider the principle of imposing sanctions on a country and its people to be unjust and oppressive.

Regarding the flight of this aircraft, it was intended to transport a Yemeni delegation that had traveled to Iran to attend the commemoration ceremony for our martyred leader as our guests, as well as a group of injured Yemenis who had received medical treatment in Iran and needed to return home.

We swiftly condemned the attack on Sana'a Airport. Damaging Yemen's civilian and public infrastructure — without any justification — violates the principles of respect for Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and such incidents must not be repeated.