Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for dialogue, saying there is no military solution to the Yemen conflict as Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels exchange attacks and Red Sea tensions grow.
Tehran: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen cannot be resolved through military action.
Speaking in an interview with the state-run Iran Daily, Araghchi said there was "no military solution" to issues involving Yemen, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and wider regional tensions.
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He called for dialogue between the sides, saying negotiations were the only way to address the ongoing crisis.
Tehran denies responsibility for Yemen tensions
Araghchi rejected claims that Iran was responsible for the latest developments in Yemen, saying the situation was linked to long-standing disputes between Yemen, Saudi Arabia and regional countries.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei also said Tehran was ready to support diplomatic efforts and help facilitate talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
Fresh Saudi-Houthi tensions threaten Red Sea shipping
The latest escalation comes after months of relative calm following a United Nations-backed truce in 2022.
Tensions increased after the Houthis announced a blockade targeting Saudi-linked shipping and claimed attacks on tankers in the Red Sea.
The developments have raised concerns over global trade routes, particularly the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The route is vital for international shipping, with a significant share of global trade passing through the narrow waterway.
Yemen conflict linked to wider Middle East tensions
The Saudi-Houthi conflict had moved towards a political settlement after both sides agreed to a peace roadmap in December 2023.
However, the process was disrupted during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, when the Houthis began attacks targeting Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The latest developments have added another layer to existing tensions across the Middle East, where multiple conflicts and rivalries are affecting regional security.
Houthis say blockade targets Saudi interests
A Houthi spokesperson said on Friday that the group was not blocking all traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The spokesperson claimed the maritime restrictions were specifically aimed at Saudi-linked vessels rather than all international shipping.
Iran's call for dialogue comes as Saudi Arabia and the Houthis face pressure to prevent further escalation that could disrupt regional trade and worsen security concerns.
Diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with the possibility of renewed negotiations depending on whether both sides move away from military responses and return to dialogue.
Published: 25 Jul 2026, 10:45 pm IST
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