Iran backs 'political process' to resolve Saudi-Houthi conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that Tehran supports a "political process" to resolve the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels. The Houthis have carried out multiple attacks on Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh's international airport, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals in a significant assault last week.

In a speech delivered at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Baghdad, Araghchi emphasized that Iran supports an inclusive and comprehensive political process as the most practical and enduring method to resolve the issue. He reiterated Iran's willingness to mediate between the two parties, although Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh had previously noted that Riyadh had not responded to Iran's overture.

Iran denied any involvement in the Houthi attacks following Saudi Arabia's accusations that Tehran was encouraging the group's escalation. In his address, Araghchi also stated that "either we build security together, or we will endure insecurity together," expressing Tehran's readiness to cooperate with "all its brothers and neighbours" to achieve this goal.

The Houthis have continued to target Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers since the truce in their protracted war with Yemen's coalition government collapsed in July. On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for striking Saudi Aramco facilities, following reports of a strike on a building in Riyadh housing the energy giant's operations center.

Powerful explosions also shook the Saudi capital, and the coalition fighting the Houthis reported intercepting a missile launched by the group towards Riyadh. Saudi Arabia retaliated by launching strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting fuel and energy facilities used to support missile and drone attacks. The Yemeni group threatened a "harsh and painful" response against Saudi airports, refineries, and oil installations.

Subsequently, Saudi authorities issued warnings of potential hostile aerial threats in the kingdom's eastern province and Riyadh, and loud explosions were heard near Saudi Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran. Four individuals were wounded by debris from two intercepted Houthi cruise missiles, and 15 homes were damaged.