Tehran--Iran sent a shipment of non-military aid to Yemen on Tuesday, the first since a Saudi-led coalition last week started air strikes against Shia Huthi rebels, state television reported.
"The shipment being sent includes 19 tonnes of medicine and health equipment, vital items and two tonnes of food," said Dr Nasser Charkhsaz, director of the Iranian Red Crescent.
The report said the shipment was sent by air, but it did not say to where.
Iran, the region's dominant Shia power, meanwhile rejected claims that it had sent arms to Yemen, where the Huthis -- whom Saudi Arabia accuses Tehran of backing -- are under attack from the air.
Such reports are "completely manufactured and utter lies", ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham was quoted on the official IRNA news agency as saying.
"These claims cannot in any way justify a military strike on Yemen," she said.
"Since our (aviation) agreement we have had a few civilian flights carrying medical and hygienic aid to Sanaa and the cargos have been delivered to Yemen's Red Crescent."
Afkham said Iran was ready to help treat the wounded in Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition has vowed to keep up its bombing raids until the rebels abandon their insurrection against President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Riyadh.
Hadi also accuses the rebels, who overran the capital last year and have since advanced across much of the country, of being supported by Iran.
AFP
