Reuters, citing four informed sources, reported that the Islamic Republic has, this month, transferred a group of IRGC commanders, military advisers and related missile and drone equipment to Yemen, a move that suggests Tehran is seeking to bolster the capabilities of its Houthi allies to threaten shipping in the Red Sea.

Four informed sources on the matter, including two Iranian sources, Yemen’s information minister and a regional security analyst, told Reuters that Iran, on 22 Tir, transferred IRGC forces and related military equipment to Yemen by flight from Tehran—an action that had not been reported so far.

Two Iranian sources told Reuters that between 10 and 21 IRGC personnel, including senior commanders, were aboard the Mahan Airlines flight.

The plane initially headed to Sanaa, but after the airport in that city was targeted by a Saudi Arabia-supported attack by the Yemeni government, it was diverted to the port city of Hodeidah.

One source said: “IRGC commanders traveled there to receive training on new missile systems.”

He added that Iran also sent gold on the same aircraft to help finance the Houthis’ activities.