Iran Caves In to Inspection of Its Yemen Bound Aid Ship

Iran’s cargo ship, said to be carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen, will be inspected after all as the ship will dock in Djibouti instead of sailing directly to the port of Hodaida.

“We have decided to dock our ship in Djibouti so the United Nations inspection protocol can take place,” ISNA news agency cited Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian as saying.

The Iran Shahed cargo ship, said to be carrying 2,500 tons of humanitarian aid to war-stricken Yemen, was expected to arrive to Hodaida port, which is controlled by Houthi fighters, on May 21.

The ship’s arrival has heightened the existing tensions in the area as the Iranian navy said it would not allow the ship to be inspected by the Saudi-lead coalition forces.

According to a ban, imposed by Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  ships are not allowed into Yemen unless inspected and approved by the Saudi-led coalition forces.

The intention behind the decision is to stop shipments that could assist the Houthi led forces in their conflict with the government forces.

Yemen warned Iran of the potential incidents that might ensue should they insist on avoiding the search, as the issue has raised doubts on the real content of the ship’s cargo, as Houthi militias are believed to be supported by Iran.

It remained unclear whether the ship would be cleared for proceeding to the Yemeni port after the inspection.

World Maritime News Staff