Yemen’s Houthi deputy foreign minister Abdulwahid Abu Ras described newly announced United States sanctions on Iran as part of a “psychological war.” In an interview with the Saba News Agency, he said Washington had turned to economic sanctions after military action had failed, aiming to create pressure on the Iranian people.

Abu Ras said the sanctions were directed against Iran’s population and characterized them as part of a US campaign of psychological warfare. The comments were issued by the Houthis following the announcement of the new US sanctions on Iran.

According to the Saba News Agency report, the Houthi official also warned countries in the region. He urged them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments in implementing what he described as unjust US measures against the Iranian people.