Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution on Yemen which would have called out Iran for failing to stop the supply of Iranian-made missiles to Huthi rebels.

The text, drafted by Britain and backed by the United States, received 11 votes in favor and two abstentions but was blocked by Russia's veto.

China and Kazakhstan abstained, while Bolivia also voted against the measure.

The 15-member council, however, did unanimously adopt a Russian-proposed resolution that did not mention Iran and that extended a targeted sanctions regime related to Yemen’s civil war.

Since 2015, Shi'ite Huthi rebels backed by Iran have been battling Yemen's government, which has been supported by Saudi Arabia.

Britain had sought to include in its draft resolution an expression of "particular concern" from the council over a UN report that found Iran had violated the 2015 arms embargo on Yemen.

The report by a UN panel of experts in January concluded that Iran was in violation after finding that missiles fired by the Huthis at Saudi Arabia last year were made in Iran.

After the Russian veto, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley released a statement accusing Russia of protecting "the terrorist-sponsoring regime in Iran" and warned of further action targeting Iran.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters