Irloo's death has led to some controversy because it is unclear how he died and it has shed light on Iran's commitment to the Houthi rebels in Yemen.(https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-689803) On December 22 Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, wrote about "the martyrdom-like death of the hardworking, productive Ambassador of #Iran to Yemen, Hasan Irloo." He said he offered "condolences and congratulations to his family and diligent, like-minded people. His honorable record includes much political work, diplomatic efforts and social activities." The Houthis have been increasingly backed by Iran since 2015. They have received weapons, including ballistic missile and drone technology, from Iran. They have struck frequently at Saudi Arabia and also threaten US and Saudi partners and allies. The US briefly declared the Houthis a terrorist group. In 2015 Saudi Arabia led a coalition of Arab countries to intervene in Yemen to stop the Houthis taking Aden. That war has ground on for years. Yemen has suffered greatly. Back on December 17, the Wall Street Journal reported that Irloo was being pushed out of Yemen at the behest of the Houthis due to supposed tensions between the Houthis and Iran. However, reports in Israel on December 18 appeared to refute the Wall Street Journal article. Iran claimed Irloo had Covid and was being evacuated for health reasons. According to the Resistance Axis Monitor, Irloo was described as an IRGC Quds Force member who had also been appointed as Iran's ambassador to the Houthis. "There are some reports he was injured in a Saudi strike in Yemen." Then Iran's state media IRNA reported that Irloo (sometimes spelled Irlu) was also living under the code name "commander Shahlai" and was a Quds force member who had a $15 million bounty on his head from the US. The differing reports don't add up to a conclusive story about Irloo. Clearly he was a high-level official in Iran and he was more than a diplomat.