Iran's deputy foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, criticized Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi for fleeing to the port city of Aden, saying it only worsened the political crisis in the country.
Houthi insurgents, who overran the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, in September, placed Hadi under house arrest, forcing the president to resign. On February 21, he fled to Aden saying all political decisions made by the Houthis, a Shia group, were void.
"Sanaa is the official and historical capital of Yemen and those in Aden who back disintegration or civil war are responsible for the consequences," AFP quoted Hossein Amir Abdollahian as saying.
"Yemen's outgoing president would have done better to stay in Sanaa and keep to his resignation letter and not lead the country into crisis."
Iran is often accused of supporting the Houthis, a claim the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied.
