Iran Calls for End to Yemen Blockade and Resumption of Negotiations
Following the seizure of the strategically important Mokha port by the Houthis, the Iranian government called on Saudi Arabia to abandon its blockade policy.
Iran has demanded an end to the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and the resumption of negotiations after Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen captured a critical port in the country and escalated threats to global shipping routes.
Capture of Mokha Port
Entering the strategic Mokha port on the Red Sea coast on Thursday, the Houthis achieved one of their largest territorial gains in the region in years.
Growing Threats to Strategic Routes
This latest military advance brought them to within about 50 miles of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
Official Statement and Call from Iran
As reported by the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Yemen's sovereignty must be respected and that problems cannot be solved through military methods.
Tehran stated that Saudi Arabia's blockade policy must be ended immediately and that negotiations between the parties should be restarted.
Jeopardizing the Ceasefire
This new wave of escalating conflict in the region has raised the possibility of the complete collapse of the fragile ceasefire arrangement in place since 2022.