Iran plans to appoint a new ambassador to Houthi rebels in Yemen after the death of its previous envoy, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Tehran said on December 21 that Hassan Irloo (Irlu), its envoy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa that is controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi group, died of COVID-19 after being repatriated in mid-December. Iran accused Saudi Arabia of having delayed his departure from Sanaa, a charge the Saudi government denied.

"We are in the process of announcing a new ambassador" in Sanaa, Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference, once again accusing Riyadh of delaying Irloo’s evacuation. Saudi Arabia has said it acted quickly in response to mediation by Iraq and Oman.

The United States confirmed last week that Irloo was a Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) senior officer. Both Washington and Riyadh have accused Iran and its Lebanese proxy, the Hezbollah of rendering military assistance to Houthi forces.

A Saudi-led coalition that has been battling Houthi forces in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government for more than six years has imposed a sea and air blockade on Houthi-controlled areas.

The coalition intervened in Yemen against the Houthis after they ousted the Yemeni government from Sanaa in north Yemen.