(U) IRANIAN ACTIVITY IN YEMEN (C-NE9-01257)

S E C R E T STATE 085632

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2034
TAGS: PINR IR YM
SUBJECT: (U) IRANIAN ACTIVITY IN YEMEN (C-NE9-01257)

Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE INTERESTED IN IRANIAN
PRESENCE AND ACTIVITIES IN YEMEN, AND POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS TO
UNREST THERE, IN RESPONSE TO POLICYMAKER INTEREST. AS POSTS'
TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT, ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON IRAN'S
RELATIONSHIP WITH AND INTENTIONS TOWARD THE GOVERNMENT, HUTHI
REBELS, AND/OR THE SECESSIONIST GROUPS IN THE SOUTH WOULD BE
VERY VALUABLE, AS WOULD INFORMATION ON CULTURAL, BUSINESS,
AND RELIGIOUS TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY AS
IT RELATES TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW. MANY THANKS.


A. (S/NF) WHAT IS IRAN'S CURRENT FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS
YEMEN?

1) (S/NF) WHAT IS IRAN,S SUPPORT, IF ANY, FOR PRESIDENT
SALEH'S GOVERNMENT?

A) (S/NF) HOW DID IRANIAN LEADERS VIEW FOREIGN MINISTER
MOTTAKI'S VISIT TO YEMEN IN JUNE? POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY?
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED BETWEEN MOTTAKI AND YEMENI OFFICIALS?
WHAT WERE YEMEN'S VIEWS OF MOTTAKI'S VISIT?

2) (S/NF) WHAT LINKS, IF ANY, DOES IRAN HAVE WITH HUTHI
REBELS?

A) (S/NF) WHAT SUPPORT, IF ANY, DOES IRAN PROVIDE TO THE
HUTHIS?

B) (S/NF) ARE ANY IRANIANS TRAVELING INTO HUTHI-CONTROLLED
TERRITORY? IF SO, WHO AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

3) (S/NF) WHAT INDICATIONS ARE THERE, IF ANY, THAT IRAN IS
IN CONTACT WITH OR SUPPORTING SECESSIONIST GROUPS IN THE
SOUTH?


B. (S/NF) WHAT ARE IRANIAN DECISIONMAKERS, VIEWS OF
STABILITY IN YEMEN? WHAT ARE THEIR VIEWS ON EFFORTS BY OTHER
GOVERNMENTS, ESPECIALLY SAUDI ARABIA, IN YEMEN?


C. (S/NF) WHAT IS THE MOIS PRESENCE IN YEMEN? THE IRGC
PRESENCE, IF ANY? PLEASE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN OFFICIAL AND
UNOFFICIAL PRESENCE, IF POSSIBLE.


D. (U) WHAT MILITARY TIES EXIST BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS?

1) (S/NF) WHAT, IF ANY, TRAINING IS IRAN PROVIDING TO
YEMEN'S MILITARY?

2) (U) WHAT, IF ANY, MILITARY SALES EXIST OR ARE PLANNED
BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES?


E. (U) WHAT BANKING OR BUSINESS DEALS ARE OCCURRING BETWEEN
IRAN AND YEMEN? AS POSSIBLE, PLEASE PROVIDE AMOUNTS OF MONEY
INVOLVED, PROGRESS AND DETAILS OF BUSINESS AGREEMENTS,
COMPANIES INVOLVED, ETC.


F. (U) WHAT, IF ANY, CULTURAL CENTERS OR OTHER CULTURAL
EXCHANGES HAS IRAN ESTABLISHED IN YEMEN?

1) (S/NF) WHAT INDICATIONS ARE THERE, IF ANY, THAT THESE
CULTURAL LINKS ARE COVER FOR MOIS OR IRGC ACTIVITY?


G. (U) WHAT INFORMATION IS THERE ON PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN IRAN AND YEMEN?


H. (U) WHAT, IF ANY, IRANIAN NGOS ARE PRESENT IN YEMEN?
(FOR EXAMPLE, THE RED CRESCENT.)


I. (U) WHAT ARE THE VIEWS OF YEMEN'S SHIA TOWARDS IRAN?
WHAT ARE THE VIEWS OF YEMEN'S SUNNIS TOWARDS IRAN?


J. (U) WHAT CONNECTIONS ARE THERE, IF ANY, BETWEEN IRANIAN
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOLARS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS
IN YEMEN?


K. (S/NF) WHAT ARE YEMEN'S LEADERS' VIEWS OF IRAN? HOW DO
THEY EVALUATE IRAN'S POLICY, PRESENCE, AND EFFORTS IN YEMEN?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-NE9-01257 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON