Yemen says Houthis have turned Iranian air defenses into heat-tracking cruise missiles

Yemen’s internationally recognised, Saudi-backed authorities accuse the Iran-supported Houthis of re-engineering Iranian air-defence hardware into loitering cruise missiles that use thermal tracking and can remain airborne for around 25 minutes. The government says the missiles cannot differentiate between military and civilian heat sources, creating a direct risk to UN, humanitarian and commercial aircraft over the southern Red Sea and Saudi airspace.

The Houthis have recently intensified attacks on Saudi targets, including ballistic missile strikes on Taif and Yanbu, and claim to have used both ballistic and cruise missiles. Analysts note that while definitive proof of the modifications is lacking, the Houthis have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to assemble and adapt Iranian components into new weaponry. The development is viewed as part of a broader Iranian strategy to pressure regional air routes and energy supply chains, raising concerns for international aviation and maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb corridor.