G7 calls on Iran to end its support for Houthis

G7 foreign ministers have urged Iran to cease its support for the Houthis in Yemen, warning that their actions could jeopardize global trade and stability. The ministers representing the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States made the appeal during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The G7, a coalition of seven major industrialized democracies, has been increasingly concerned about the economic and security ramifications of the US-Iran conflict, including potential disruptions to energy supplies and maritime routes.

The Houthis, a Yemeni movement backed by Iran, control Sanaa and significant portions of northern and western Yemen. Iran has supplied the group with weapons, financial aid, training, and technical assistance, though Tehran denies directly controlling their actions. The group's influence has grown as a result of Iran's support, making it a crucial asset for the regime's regional reach.

With the US-Iran war escalating since February, the Houthis' control over Yemen's Red Sea coast has gained strategic importance for Tehran, providing an additional leverage point against Gulf states and regional energy pipelines.

The ministers called on the Houthis to cease all military actions, threats, and attacks against civilian shipping and to rejoin the political process in a genuine manner. This appeal comes after the Houthis' recent advance along Yemen's western coast, including the capture of Mokha and strategic islands that now grant them control over the Bab Al Mandeb strait.

This waterway has become increasingly vital for Saudi Arabian oil exports, especially following Iran's restriction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the Bab Al Mandeb strait has emerged as a potential alternative pathway for Gulf oil to reach global markets, making the situation in Yemen increasingly significant for international trade and security.