Saudi Arabia Accuses Iran of Encouraging Houthi Attacks
Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthis in the latest escalation, blaming Tehran for the wave of missile and drone strikes hitting the kingdom. The Saudi Arabia accuses Iran Houthis allegation was made by the kingdom’s deputy minister for public diplomacy at the foreign ministry.
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Raed Qarmali said: “Iran continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN security council resolutions.”
He said Riyadh believed the current Houthi escalation had Iran’s encouragement, placing Tehran at the centre of a confrontation that has disrupted Saudi airports, energy sites and flagship investment events.
Saudi Arabia accuses Iran Houthis: what Riyadh claims
Qarmali told reporters that the escalation by the Houthis in this phase of the conflict was being carried out with Iran’s encouragement. He said Iran continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The Saudi-led coalition has separately listed Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport this month and demanded an immediate end to attacks on civilian sites.
The ‘pressure point’ strategy behind the attacks
A Reuters analysis, based on Saudi, Iranian and regional sources, says the Houthi campaign aims to turn Saudi Arabia into a pressure point. By striking infrastructure and investment events central to the kingdom’s economic plans, the Houthis want to push Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to meet Houthi demands inside Yemen and to persuade US President Donald Trump to ease the American blockade on Iran’s economy.
Those demands include an end to Saudi military operations and restrictions on Yemeni ports and airports, regular flights to Iran, restored salary payments, war compensation, and an end to Riyadh’s support for Yemen’s recognised government, according to sources familiar with Saudi thinking. Accepting them would consolidate Houthi rule over much of Yemen.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters the attacks formed part of a broader strategy by Iran and its allies to reshape the regional balance of power. He said Riyadh could not rely on US protection and should negotiate instead.
Qarmali also said the Houthis had rejected a Saudi request in recent weeks to meet in Muscat, Oman, to discuss reducing tensions, though he said direct communication channels with the group remained open. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the Houthis had carried out 20 attacks on Riyadh airport in October and demanded an immediate end to what he called terrorist operations against civilian sites.
The dilemma facing Mohammed bin Salman
The strategy leaves the Saudi crown prince with difficult choices: escalation risks a wider war that could damage his economic transformation agenda, while concessions risk strengthening a movement that has challenged Saudi power for years. The attacks have already disrupted Riyadh’s flagship oil conference and pushed the Future Investment Initiative toward remote participation.
Trump is weighing whether the United States should join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. Earlier this week, Saudi defences intercepted a missile the kingdom said was aimed at the holy city of Madina, a claim the Houthis denied.
The other side denies the charge
The Houthis deny being an Iranian proxy and say they develop their own weapons.
Reuters reported that the Saudi government media office, Iran’s foreign ministry and a Houthi spokesperson did not immediately respond to its requests for comment. Pakistan, which has signed a defence pact with Saudi Arabia, is watching closely; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said Pakistan will defend Saudi Arabia against any threat.
What happens next
Much now depends on whether Washington joins the Saudi campaign. Trump has said he is considering possible action, but no decision has been announced. If diplomacy fails, the region faces a return to open war; if Riyadh negotiates, it risks handing the Houthis the legitimacy they seek.
FAQ
What did Saudi Arabia accuse Iran of?
A Saudi deputy foreign minister said Iran was encouraging the Houthis and continued to “arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN security council resolutions.”
What is Iran’s alleged motive?
Saudi, Iranian and regional sources cited by Reuters say the campaign aims to pressure Saudi Arabia and persuade the US to ease its economic blockade on Iran, while forcing Riyadh to meet Houthi demands in Yemen.
How have the Houthis responded to the accusation?
The Houthis deny being an Iranian proxy. Their spokesperson said the group’s humanitarian demands “have nothing to do with Iran or anyone else.”
How has the escalation affected Saudi Arabia?
Houthi strikes have hit Riyadh’s King Khalid airport and Saudi Aramco facilities, disrupted a flagship oil conference, and pushed the Future Investment Initiative toward remote participation.
Will the US join the Saudi campaign?
President Trump has said he is evaluating whether the United States should join Saudi strikes against the Houthis. No decision has been announced.
