Iran Offers to Facilitate Saudi-Houthi Dialogue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered to help facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement during a Sunday call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, as fighting and regional tensions continued to rise. Araghchi said Tehran was ready to assist efforts to begin talks and pursue a political settlement. He urged political solutions over military action, saying regional crises could not be resolved by force, according to Iranian statements about the call. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the ministers spoke on Sunday and said they discussed regional escalation and efforts to address it. Its public account did not detail a specific diplomatic initiative or agreement. There was no public confirmation that Saudi Arabia accepted Iran’s offer or that either side agreed to a process for talks. The diplomatic contact came amid intensified hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, including attacks on Saudi airports. Reports gave differing tolls for a recent attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport: one said 13 people were killed, while another reported at least 12.