WASHINGTON
The U.S. on Tuesday urged Iran to direct its aid ship currently headed toward a Yemeni port held by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, to instead go the UN humanitarian aid distribution hub in Djibouti.
“The Iranians have stated that this is humanitarian aid. If that is the case we certainly encourage the Iranians to deliver that humanitarian aid to the UN humanitarian aid distribution hub which has been established in Djibouti," Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters.
He said if Iran is planning any kind of "stunt" in the region it would threaten a cease-fire in Yemen that was brokered Tuesday.
An Iranian naval commander said Iranian warships currently stationed in the Gulf of Aden will escort the cargo vessel to Yemen.
“Providing warships to escort this single ship reportedly loaded with humanitarian aid is not necessary," Warren said, adding that the U.S. navy in the region is monitoring the aid ship.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest attempted to put a more positive spin on the incident and described the Iranian move as "an effort to try to be responsive to the needs of the local populations," but urged Iran to do it through the UN.
"By allowing the UN to process those humanitarian donations and to efficiently distribute them, we'll make sure that we're enforcing the arms embargo, while at the same time most efficiently and effectively delivering assistance to those who are most in need," Earnest said.
He also warned that any Iranian move "to defy their regional rivals outside the UN system" would collapse the UN-led cease-fire.
"Iran understands that they can't afford to play games with humanitarian assistance to people who are in dire need, like we see in Yemen," he added.
