Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, called for dialogue on Saturday following the escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Tehran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. Araghchi emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict, urging for a resolution through dialogue between Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and other regional countries.
According to Ghana News Agency, Araghchi, in an interview with the state-run daily newspaper Iran, asserted that while Iran supports the Houthi militia, the problems in Yemen are not solely due to his country's actions but stem from entrenched regional conflicts. The ongoing mutual attacks between the Houthi militia and Saudi Arabia have heightened concerns about further escalation in the Middle East, a region already tense since US-Israeli attacks on Iran began in February.
This past week, the Houthis declared a 'blockade' on Saudi shipping, claiming responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers on Thursday. Additionally, an attack was reported on a Saudi-flagged ship on Friday. These incidents have raised alarms over the safety of the sea route from Asia through the Suez Canal to Europe, which traverses the Red Sea and the crucial Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen's coast.
Since 2023, the Houthis have significantly disrupted global trade with their attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The militia maintains control over the north and large swathes of western Yemen, including its Red Sea coastline, intensifying the strategic and economic stakes in the region.