Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif expressed his country’s support for a ceasefire in Yemen and efforts to bring an end to the six-year-long war in the country. According to the statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Zarif said that the only solution which could end the crisis of Yemen is a political solution. In terms of a political solution, Iran also supports intra-Yemeni talks, Zarif added.
Zarif’s statements came following his meeting with the Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul Salam during the former’s visit to Oman, which took place on Wednesday. Zarif visited Oman after he held talks with government officials in Qatar and Iraq last week. During his visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister also came together with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad. The two top diplomats exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement.
Javad Zarif’s meeting with the Houthi spokesperson came as the latest of its kind. It is known that the Iranian Foreign Minister met with Abdul Salam several times over the past few years in Oman, where the Houthi official lives.
On the other hand, there have been some reports regarding the Iranian Foreign Minister’s latest visits to Doha, Baghdad, and Muscat, claiming that these diplomatic visits could be a part of possible preparations in restoring ties with Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that his country would like to have “good relations” with Iran during a televised interview.
Additionally, the Financial Times reported that Saudi and Iranian officials held secret talks through Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi’s mediation on April 9. Saudi officials denied such a meeting was made while the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that dialogue with Saudi Arabia is always welcomed, without confirmation on the meeting.
