Saudi official: Tehran encourages Houthi escalation and we did not request its mediation
Amman2 min read
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Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy, Rayed Krimly, accused the Iranian government of encouraging the recent escalation in Houthi attacks, stating that Tehran does not appear ready to make the necessary concessions within the framework of the broader conflict with the United States, according to the Associated Press.
Krimly said that Saudi Arabia had called weeks ago for a meeting with the Houthis in the Sultanate of Oman to settle existing differences and end the escalation, but the group refused to participate.
He accused Iran of continuing to arm, train, and support the Houthis, in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and its commitments under the Beijing Agreement. He pointed out that Riyadh believes the Houthi escalation at the current stage of the conflict is being encouraged by Iran.
Krimly emphasized that the Kingdom did not request Iranian mediation, and that it maintains direct channels of communication with the Houthis, while the Sultanate of Oman plays the role of a facilitator for talks, not a mediator.
He noted the continuation of direct communication between Saudi Arabia and Iran, explaining that the foreign ministers of the two countries held at least one phone conversation during the series of attacks that targeted Riyadh airport.
