Iran denies Saudi accusation of involvement in Houthi attacks

Iran has denied accusations from Saudi Arabia that it encouraged recent Houthi attacks against the kingdom, including strikes on oil facilities and airports, according to Punch Nigeria and Punch. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei issued a statement rejecting claims that Tehran directed the escalation, asserting that Yemeni forces operate independently based on their own strategic assessments and national interests, according to Daily Times.

The Jerusalem Post reports that the Wall Street Journal cited former Israeli official Danny Citrinowicz, who described the operational intelligence connection between Iran and the Houthis as very strong. Citrinowicz stated that Iran has a major interest in Houthi success because it harms Saudi Arabia and raises oil prices. The Soufan Center also told the WSJ that the strikes help Iran project power.

Recent Houthi actions include an attack on Saudi Arabia's presidential palace complex on Thursday that killed five people, and a strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport which killed 17 and injured over 300, according to the Jerusalem Post. Separately, Ajel English reports that two rockets fired by Houthi militias landed at Aden International Airport without causing casualties.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Punch, Jerusalem Post, Daily Times, Ajel English — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.