Yemen crisis: Kerry warns Iran over Houthi rebel 'support'

US Secretary of State, John Kerry has warned Iran over its alleged support for Houthi rebels in Yemen.

He said the US would support any state in the Middle East that felt threatened by Iran, and would not stand by for Iran to destabilise the region.

The US is backing a Saudi-led coalition seeking to drive back the rebels and restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who fled the country last month.

Iran has denied accusations it is providing military aid to the Houthis. However, it has despatched two navy vessels to the Gulf of Aden, off the southern coast of Yemen.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says there is no guarantee of a final deal with world powers on its nuclear programme.

Earlier, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would not sign a final deal on its nuclear programme unless sanctions are lifted on the first day.

Last week Iran and world powers reached an agreement on the issue.Since then, Iranian and US officials have been trying to persuade hardliners in both countries to back the deal.

The deal stipulates that Iran must slash its stockpile of enriched uranium that could be used in a nuclear weapon, in a statement on his website Mr Khamenei said it is possible that the six world powers which negotiated the agreement want to restrict Iran in the details.

BBC