The story: Hassan Irloo, Iran’s ambassador to Yemen and an alleged Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officer, died of Covid-19 in a Tehran hospital on Dec. 21. Tehran believes that Saudi Arabia’s delay in issuing a repatriation permit for Irloo played a role in his death. This initially caused concerns about possible negative effects on Iran-Saudi talks about the restoration of ties. But Tehran has said another round of negotiations is coming up. Meanwhile, a former senior IRGC officer has denied media reports that Irloo was also known as Abdulreza Shahlai, the commander charged with overseeing IRGC-Quds Force activities in Yemen.

The coverage: Irloo’s death has led Iranian officials to criticize Saudi Arabia for its hesitation in helping Tehran to bring back the sick ambassador.

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei published a condolence message for the “martyrdom-like death” of the “hardworking” and “productive” Iranian ambassador to Yemen. “His honorable record includes much political work, diplomatic efforts and social activities,” wrote Khamenei in his message on Dec. 22.
  
  
• Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s foreign minister, who attended Irloo’s funeral, was reported to have said on Dec. 21 that he spent several days getting a permit from Saudi Arabia to transfer home Irloo. The envoy returned to Tehran on Dec. 18, sources told Amwaj.media. “Unfortunately, the Saudi side decided on this issue too late and some Saudi [officials] hesitated in this regard. We formally declare our protest under international conventions,” said Amir-Abdollahian.
  
  
• Hosting his Iraqi counterpart two days later, Amir-Abdollahian adopted an upbeat tone on dialogue with Saudi Arabia, expressing hopes that the negotiations to normalize ties—held in Baghdad this year—will resume in the near future.

Meanwhile, there has been contention over Irloo’s identity. Western outlets have claimed that the late ambassador was in fact Shahlai, the Quds Force field commander in Yemen. The US has for years advertised a multi-million-dollar bounty for the Iranian military officer.

• In reply to a question about whether Irloo was the same person as Shahlai, a spokesperson for the US State Department told London-based Iran International on Dec. 23, "We confirm Irloo was part of the IRGC. There is no role for the IRGC in Yemen.”

• But claims that Irloo was Shahlai were denied by Hassan Danaiefar, a former senior IRGC officer and ex-ambassador to Iraq. Speaking to the conservative Quds newspaper on Dec. 22 about the delay to Irloo’s evacuation, he said, “This move by the Saudis may affect [Tehran-Riyadh] negotiations, and we will have to wait for reflection on this issue.”

State-run and conservative news agencies shed light on Irloo’s close ties with former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the US in Baghdad in 2020.

• The official IRNA news agency wrote on Dec. 21, “The role of Martyr Irloo along with Haj Qasem Soleimani will not be forgotten.” The news agency further described Irloo as a “friend” and “comrade” of Soleimani.
  
  
• According to Quds newspaper, before the ambassador was posted in Yemen in 2020, Soleimani met his family, telling them that Irloo will be “martyred” during his trip.

The context/analysis: Irloo was appointed as Iran’s envoy to Yemen in Oct. 2020. Western media covered him closely, with some believing he was the top IRGC commander in the Arab country.

• According to IRNA, Irloo was a veteran diplomat and in charge of the foreign ministry’s Yemen desk. He also served as a deputy of the Iranian foreign minister’s special advisor on Yemen from 2015 to 2020.
  
• Irloo, a veteran who was injured in a chemical attack during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, contracted Covid-19 in Yemen and died in a hospital in Tehran.
  
  
• Sources told Amwaj.media that Irloo was brought back to Iran late on Dec. 18. According to the sources, “direct contact” between Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (MbS) resulted in the repatriation of Iran's ambassador in an Iraqi plane.
  
  
• The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 17 claimed that Houthi officials wanted Irloo out as he had “become a burden for them.” Houthi officials later denied the WSJ report.

The future: Irloo’s death may further complicate the talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia on restoring their ties, though unlikely to torpedo the dialogue.

• While Tehran has reacted negatively to Saudi Arabia’s alleged lack of cooperation on the late ambassador’s evacuation from Yemen, the mixed signals by Amir-Abdollahian in recent days suggests that the bilateral engagement will continue. However, pressure from hardliners at home may push Tehran to adopt a tougher position in the next round of talks with Saudi officials.
  
  
• Even if Irloo was in fact Shahlai, this does not mean Iran will change its regional policy. The assassination of Soleimani, seen as the mastermind behind Iran’s regional policies, did not lead to a U-turn in Tehran’s regional approach.