"Iran's UN Envoy Denies Directing Militant Attacks, Emphasizes Support for Palestinian Groups"

Iran's U.N. ambassador denies providing weapons to Houthi forces in Yemen and asserts that Iran does not control the militants or other armed groups in the region launching attacks on the United States and Israel. He claims that Iran has a "defense pact" with armed groups in the region but does not direct or command them. The U.S. and other governments have accused Iran of arming, training, and financing proxies in various countries, citing recovered weapons and the presence of Iranian advisers. Iran expresses a desire to calm tensions in the Middle East and emphasizes its readiness to defend itself if necessary. The ambassador also states that Iran and the U.S. have ways of communicating through intermediaries, despite no formal diplomatic relations, and that Iran is prepared to encourage the Houthis to halt their attacks if Israel pulls back from Gaza and lifts restrictions on aid deliveries.