Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri made the remarks in an interview with Arabic-language news channel al-Alam on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia, the United States, and their allies must keep in mind that if they want to block Iran's humanitarian aid to the regional countries, they will start a fire which they cannot put out, the commander added.
I clearly announce that the self-restraint of the Islamic Republic of Iran has its limits, Jazayeri stated.
Irans Nejat (Rescue) cargo ship, containing 2,500 tons of much-needed aid, including food, medical supplies and tents, left the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas for Yemen on Monday.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550"]
Dubbed Rescue, Iran's ship is set to carry a group of humanitarian aid workers, medical technicians, and peace activists from the US, France, Germany, and Iran, along with a shipment of humanitarian aid, from the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province to Yemen. (IRNA photo)[/caption]On April 28, Saudi Arabia forced an Iranian cargo plane carrying medical aid and foodstuff for people in Yemen to return.
The Iranian aircraft, which had earlier received permits from Omani and Yemeni aviation officials to cross into Yemens airspace, could not land at the Sanaa International Airport, as Saudi warplanes were violently striking the runway of the airport.
The development came less than a week after Saudi warplanes intercepted another Iranian airplane, carrying humanitarian aid to Yemen, and prevented it from entering the Yemeni airspace on April 22.
Naval protection
On Tuesday, a senior Iranian commander said that Irans navy will protect the cargo ship on route to Yemen.
The Islamic Republic of Irans 34th naval group, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab Strait, is responsible for supporting Irans humanitarian aid cargo ship, IRNA quoted Admiral Hossein Azad as saying on Tuesday.
He added that the naval group includes the Alborz destroyer and the Bushehr logistic ship, which are both currently on a 90-day mission, demonstrating Irans navel might, insure the security of international shipping lines and defend the countrys interests.
Pentagon warning
Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren told reporters on Tuesday that the cargo ships escort is absolutely unnecessary.
Earlier in the day, a US defense official said that reports pertaining to the Iranian Navy escorting the aid ship are worrying.
The United States has information that the Iranian aid ship does not contain weapons, the official added.
The Pentagon has also said the ship should change course and head to Djibouti, where the UN is supervising humanitarian deliveries.
Saudi violates ceasefire
Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia violated a ceasefire in Yemen immediately after it was in place.
Four raids were carried out by Saudi jets in the southwestern Lahij province, the eastern Hajjah province, and the northwestern Saada province.
Saudi Arabia started its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 -- without a UN mandate -- in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement, which currently controls Sanaa and other major provinces, and to restore power to Yemens fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is a staunch ally of Riyadh.
According to the latest UN figures, the Saudi military campaign has so far claimed the lives of over 1,400 people and injured close to 6,000 people, roughly half of whom have been civilians.
By Press TV
