The U.S. will not stand by while the Iranian regime provides support to Houthi rebels who have seized much of Yemen, Secretary of State John Kerry said.
"There have been -- there are, obviously -- flights coming from Iran. Every single week there are flights from Iran and we've traced it and know this," Kerry told PBS television in an interview.
"Iran needs to recognize that the United States is not going to stand by while the region is destabilized or while people engage in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries in other countries."
It was Secretary Kerry's first television interview since his return to Washington after negotiating a framework agreement with the Iranian regime last week reining in its nuclear program.
A coalition of largely Arab and Islamic countries led by Saudi Arabia has been waging an air campaign against the Huthi rebels funded and supported by the Iranian regime that have seized control of large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.
Kerry said Washington was not looking for confrontation with Tehran.
"But we're not going to step away from our alliances and our friendships and the need to stand with those who feel threatened as a consequence of the choices that Iran might be making."
Meanwhile in Saudi capital, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. has stepped up weapons deliveries in support of the operation by Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
"Saudi Arabia is sending a strong message to the Houthis and their allies that they cannot overrun Yemen by force," Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after the talks with Saudi officials.
"In support of that effort we have expedited weapons deliveries," he said.
"We've increased our intelligence sharing, and we've established a joint coordination planning cell in the Saudi operations center."
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