After the deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia, Iran offers to open dialogue between Riyadh and the Houthis

Iran has announced its readiness to help launch a dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen, amid escalating confrontation between the two sides. This was stated during a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan.

According to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers discussed, during the call that took place last night, regional developments and efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the crisis. Araghchi expressed his country’s concern over the escalation of tensions, warning that the continued reliance on military force and the neglect of diplomatic avenues could further complicate the situation.

While the Persian version of the statement published by the agency referred to dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reported that the Iranian offer concerns facilitating talks between Riyadh and the Houthis.

Riyadh confirms contact without announcing negotiations

For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a call had taken place between the two ministers, noting that the discussions addressed the recent escalation in the region and the efforts being made regarding it. However, Riyadh has not disclosed details of these efforts, nor has it announced reaching an agreement to start negotiations with the Houthis, and no date or specific framework for potential talks has been announced.

The Iranian move comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is facing heightened security tensions following attacks by the Houthis, who are backed by Tehran. This raises questions about the prospects of resuming the diplomatic process between the two sides and the possibility of containing the confrontation.

The first announced contact since the escalation of Houthi attacks

According to Reuters, the call is the first publicly announced communication between the foreign ministers since the Houthis intensified their attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The call follows Houthi attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and the injury of more than 300 others. It described the incident as the deadliest attack inside Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.

Amid the ongoing escalation, it remains unclear whether the Iranian initiative will turn into an actual negotiating track, especially since Riyadh has not announced its acceptance of the mediation or agreed to begin direct talks with the Houthis.