Iran Backs ‘Political Process’ to End Saudi-Houthi Conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Tehran supports a “political process” to resolve the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and that Iran is ready to help end it, the Tribune reported.

Araghchi was speaking at the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad. He said a military solution was not an option for ending Yemen’s years-long civil war.

Iran’s offer follows a call with the Saudi foreign minister

The Iranian minister said he had made the same offer last week during a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan: to help facilitate dialogue between the two sides. The Houthis are one of Tehran’s main regional allies.

Araghchi arrived in Baghdad early on Saturday and held meetings on the sidelines of the OIC gathering with his Turkish and Egyptian counterparts, Hakan Fidan and Badr Abdelatty.

Foreign ministers from OIC member states attended the first day of the two-day meeting, which is being held in the Iraqi capital for the first time in 45 years.

Saudi strikes kill 12 in Yemen as dialogue is urged

Even as Araghchi spoke of dialogue, Saudi strikes that began overnight killed at least 12 people in Yemen, three of them children, Houthi media reported on Saturday.

Saudi warplanes targeted “civilian homes” in Taiz governorate on Saturday, killing nine people and wounding 16, the Iran-backed group’s news agency said, adding that people were still trapped under the rubble.

The agency had earlier reported overnight strikes in Dhamar province that killed three children and wounded 17 others. It said the strikes were carried out “using cluster bombs, which are banned internationally”.

The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government in the country’s long-running civil war, has launched daily raids in Yemen.

Why the Saudi-Houthi conflict flared again

The conflict lay dormant for years before erupting again in July. It intensified after the Iran-backed group seized the Red Sea coast last month.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi targets in recent weeks, including vessels in the Red Sea, oil facilities and Riyadh’s international airport, where 13 people were killed in a single attack last week.

The region has seen parallel diplomatic tracks involving Iran in recent days, and Yemen’s Houthis have drawn firm responses from Gulf capitals.

What it means for Pakistan

Pakistan, a founding member of the OIC, follows such developments closely. The country has deep ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, and millions of Pakistanis work in the Gulf, so any escalation in the region carries economic and human stakes for Islamabad. A political settlement, by contrast, would ease pressure on oil markets and on the region’s Pakistani workforce alike.

FAQs

What did Iran’s foreign minister propose?

Abbas Araghchi said Iran supports a “political process” to end the Saudi-Houthi conflict and is ready to help, repeating an offer he made to the Saudi foreign minister in a phone call last week.

Where did he say it?

At the 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers session in Baghdad on Saturday, October 17.

How many were killed in the latest Saudi strikes?

Houthi media reported at least 12 dead, including three children, in overnight and Saturday strikes on Taiz and Dhamar provinces.

Why did the conflict flare up again?

After years of dormancy, fighting resumed in July and intensified when the Houthis seized the Red Sea coast last month, followed by attacks on Saudi targets including Riyadh’s international airport.