France Cautious on “Evidence” of Iran Arms in Yemen

France reacted cautiously on Friday to US allegations that Iran supplied weapons to Houthi forces in Yemen, saying it was still studying information at its disposal and the United Nations had yet to draw any conclusions. The United States on Thursday presented for the first time pieces of what it claimed were Iranian weapons supplied to the Houthis, describing it as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating UN resolutions. When asked whether Paris believed that evidence was irrefutable, foreign ministry deputy spokesman, Alexandre Giorgini, declined to respond directly. “The United Nations secretariat has not, at this stage, drawn any conclusions. France continues to examine the information at its disposal,” he said. Tensions between Iran and France have increased in recent weeks after President Emmanuel Macron said Tehran should be less aggressive in the region and clarify its ballistic missile program. Giorgini said France remained concerned by Iran’s ballistic missile program. France’s foreign minister is due in Washington on Monday to, among other things, coordinate its stance over Iran, as he is scheduled to visit Tehran at the start of January.