(U) RE-RELEASE: IRANIAN ACTIVITY IN YEMEN

S E C R E T STATE 086584

NOFORN
SIPDIS
CLASSIFICATION CHANGE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2034
TAGS: PINR IR YM
SUBJECT: (U) RE-RELEASE: 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/REL AUS) WHAT IS IRAN'S CURRENT FOREIGN POLICY
TOWARDS YEMEN?

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

A) (S/REL AUS) 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/REL AUS) WHAT LINKS, IF ANY, DOES IRAN HAVE WITH
HUTHI REBELS?

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


B. (S/REL AUS) 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/REL AUS) 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/REL AUS) 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/REL AUS) 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/REL AUS) 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