Yemen solution should serve nation interests: Iran

A senior Iranian official says Tehran supports dialog among Yemeni groups aimed at agreeing on a solution to the months-long conflict in the impoverished country, stressing that such an agreement needs to serve the interests of the Arab nation.

“The stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran vis-à-vis Yemen has always been [adopted] in line with safeguarding the nation’s interests, and [Iran] supports negotiations between different Yemeni sides and a political solution to the crisis in Yemen,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

The Iranian official made the remarks in a Sunday meeting with a visiting delegation of the Political Council of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement in Tehran.

Amir-Abdollahian said that attacks on Yemen’s infrastructure and residential areas will only complicate the crisis and pave the ground for terrorist groups to take advantage of the situation for their own gains.

He underlined the need for the non-interference of foreign parties, establishment of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and removal of economic and humanitarian siege on Yemen.

The Iranian official further called on the international community to fulfill its responsibility to stop constant violation of Yemen’s sovereignty.

Mohammad al-Bukhaiti, the head of the Yemeni delegation, praised Iran for dispatching humanitarian aid consignments to Yemen and its efforts to end the Saudi war against the Arab country.

The meeting came after members of Ansarullah movement and representatives loyal to fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi reached an agreement in Magglingen, northern Switzerland, on December 17 during UN-mediated talks on a full and immediate resumption of humanitarian assistance to conflict-stricken areas in the south of the impoverished country.

The deal will facilitate the delivery of a large UN convoy carrying essential humanitarian supply and destined for the most affected districts of southwestern city of Ta’izz.

Yemen has been under military attacks and a blockade by Saudi Arabia since late March. More than 7,500 people have been killed and over 14,000 others injured since then.

The Saudi strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the impoverished country’s facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools and factories.