Iran 'head of the snake', Israel tells UN after Tel Aviv drone hit

France, UK and US call for Security Council session to address Tehran-backed Houthis' destabilising activities in region

Houthis rally with posters depicting their leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hamas chief in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah. EPA

Israel called on the UN Security Council on Monday to impose severe sanctions against Iran and take preventive steps after a recent drone attack on Tel Aviv.

During an emergency session, Israel’s deputy ambassador Noa Furman urged the international community to increase pressure on Tehran.

“Iran is the head of the snake: arming, training and financing the Houthis,” Mr Furman said.

“The international community must act decisively by imposing more crippling sanctions on Tehran.

"Iran's actions continue to threaten the stability of the Middle East and the entire world.”

Mr Furman also accused Tehran of sending direct arms shipments to Yemen’s Houthis for use against Israel.

Moment deadly drone strikes near US mission in Tel Aviv

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He claimed that the port of Hodeidah is not an “innocuous” port but is being used for “terrorist purposes and therefore is a legitimate military target”.

France, the UK and the US requested the session of the Security Council on Friday to address the Houthis' destabilising activities in the Middle East following the drone attack claimed by the rebel group that hit Tel Aviv.

The drone struck a residential building near the US embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, resulting in the death of one civilian and the injuring of at least 10 others, according to Israeli authorities.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack, with their military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree saying it was a response to Israel’s escalating attacks on the Gaza Strip.

In a letter to the council, the three permanent members called for the condemnation of the Houthi attack and called for immediate action, including the imposition of sanctions.

On Saturday, Israel launched a retaliatory strike in Yemen.

The Houthis, who control swathes of the country including much of its Red Sea coast, said the attack struck fuel storage facilities at the harbour facilities in Hodeidah, killing at least nine and injuring more than 80 people.

The operation marked the first direct and publicly acknowledged Israeli strike inside Yemeni territory.

Burning oil tanks in the port of Yemen's Houthi-held city of Hodeidah. AFP / Maxar Technologies

The Hodeidah port is a vital entry point for fuel imports and international aid for rebel-held areas of Yemen, a country where more than half the population relies on humanitarian assistance.

Since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October, the Iran-backed rebel group has been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and attempting several attacks on southern Israel, including the port city of Eilat.

The strike on July 19 was the first to reach Tel Aviv.

The Houthi rebels have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza.

“If this does not meet the textbook definition of a threat to international peace and security, I don't know what does,” said Robert Wood, the US deputy ambassador to the UN.

He condemned the Houthis as terrorists “desperate to distract from their own record of catastrophic failures in Yemen”.

Mr Wood also emphasised the necessity for the UN Security Council to take more action in response to the increasing threats from the Houthis.

Equally important, he noted, is addressing Iran's involvement in these attacks and holding Tehran accountable.

Mr Wood warned that any council member blocking efforts to hold the Houthis and Iran accountable would be “complicit in undermining the credibility of this council's resolutions”.

The Russian representative reminded the council that attacks on Israel are being launched by parties objecting to Israel's brutality against Palestinians.

“Coming up to 10 months now, Israel has been carrying out a bloody operation in Gaza Strip costing over 30,000 lives,” said Vasily Nebenzya, noting that Israeli violence continues to be protected by the US.