Iran denies Saudi charge of encouraging Houthi attacks

Iran denied Saudi Arabia’s accusation that Tehran encouraged the Houthis’ latest attacks against the kingdom and renewed its offer to help mediate the conflict, as missile strikes and interceptions were reported in Yemen and Saudi Arabia on Friday, October 16. Saudi Arabia has maintained its allegation, leaving the claims about Iran’s role disputed. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had played no role in Houthi operations and that Yemen’s armed forces acted according to their own interests. He said Iran did not consider an escalation beneficial and remained ready to use its good offices to help end the hostilities. Saudi deputy foreign ministry official Rayed Krimly said Iran had encouraged the Houthis’ escalation. He described the attacks as a breach of commitments associated with the 2023 Saudi-Iran rapprochement, under which the two countries resumed diplomatic relations. Krimly also said the Houthis had rejected an offer to meet in Oman at the start of the latest hostilities. The reports provide the governments’ competing statements but no independent evidence establishing Tehran’s operational role. A Saudi-led military coalition spokesperson...