According to Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Russia’s veto of a United Nations draft resolution linking Iranian arms to Houthi militias in Yemen is a sign of improving ties between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Syrian Minister of Religious Affairs Mohammed Abdul Sattar Feb. 28, Velayati said of the UK-proposed draft resolution, “The policies of the British have a despised history among Iranians and in no way was this action contrary to our expectations.” He added, “What Russia did in vetoing this resolution is an indication of growing strategic relations between Iran and Russia.”

Of the 15 members of the UN Security Council, 11 voted for the resolution, which was supported heavily by the United States. Russia is one of the five permanent members with veto power. China, another, abstained. A Russian draft embargoing arms to Yemen and making no reference to Iran was approved.

Conservative media outlet Javan Online's criticism of the UK proposal read, “Despite warnings and international and humanitarian reports about the killings of Yemeni civilians from Saudi Arabian strikes through UK arms and weapons, London has closed its eyes to a humanitarian disaster and a violation of human rights and is pursuing its own economic interests.” Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has purchased over $5 billion worth of weapons from the United Kingdom.