Yemen's charge d'affaires in Tehran has been summoned to Iran's Foreign Ministry to hear the Islamic Republic's strong protest against the unfounded allegations of Tehran's interference in his country's internal affairs, PRESS TV reported.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissed the allegations by Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, saying Iran backs Yemen's stability, security, unity and independence.
"...Leveling incorrect accusations will not serve the interests of the two countries, and will pave the way for the enemies of good relations between the two countries," the Iranian official said.
"The new Yemeni statesmen were expected not to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, and adapt themselves to the new realities in the light of the reshuffle of their government," he noted, adding "But unfortunately, some [new statesmen] are pursuing the conduct and behavior of their predecessors."
Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out for regular demonstrations in Yemen's major cities since January 2011, calling for an end to corruption and unemployment and demanding that the relatives of former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh be sacked from their government posts.
Saleh formally stepped down and handed over power to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi in February 2012. Hadi is a UK-trained field marshal.