The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have issued a stern warning to Saudi Arabia, threatening retaliation against its airports and vital interests following an alleged incident where Saudi warplanes reportedly tried to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport. According to Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree, the confrontation occurred at 5:20am (02:20 GMT) on Friday, as Saudi jets attempted to infiltrate Houthi-controlled airspace to hinder the landing of an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 citizens. Saree asserted that the rebels had successfully thwarted the attempt and that flights between Sanaa and Tehran will continue, despite any possible repercussions. The Houthi delegation was reportedly on board the aircraft, bound for a funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iran. The Houthis have expressed readiness to take "any options" and are prepared to execute directives aimed at lifting the Saudi-American siege, although they did not provide further details. This renewed threat comes after the largest prisoner exchange between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis was confirmed in May, which included seven Saudis. The Houthis have been embroiled in a conflict with Yemen's government since 2015, causing widespread death and humanitarian crisis. They control the capital, Sanaa, and much of the north, while the internationally-recognized government holds much of the south. Fighting between them has largely been suspended since a UN-negotiated truce in 2022.