TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and discussed key regional and international developments, particularly the situation in Yemen.
During the telephone conversation, the two sides reviewed the expanding ties between Tehran and Riyadh and stressed the importance of continued political consultations and enhanced bilateral cooperation to advance shared interests and promote regional stability, according to the Iranian state-run news agency IRNA.
Discussing developments in southern Yemen, Iran’s foreign minister stressed the need to preserve the country’s unity and territorial integrity and highlighted the importance of implementing a political roadmap to achieve lasting peace.
Sustained dialogue
The Saudi foreign minister, in his remarks, underscored the need for sustained dialogue and cooperation among regional countries to safeguard peace and stability.
The call was held as part of ongoing consultations between the two countries aimed at strengthening regional security and stability.
Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister also held a phone call with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing bilateral relations and regional developments, including Yemen.
According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement issued on Monday, Araghchi and Al Nahyan expressed satisfaction with the expanding relations between the two countries and underscored the importance of pursuing issues of mutual interest.
Yemen’s sovereignty
Addressing ongoing developments in southern Yemen, Iran’s top diplomat called on regional countries to intensify efforts to preserve Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to address the legitimate demands of the Yemeni people.
The Emirati foreign minister, in turn, stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Yemen and the wider region, and outlined his country’s initiatives aimed at easing tensions in Yemen.
Both sides emphasised the need for regional countries to enhance cooperation to consolidate stability in Yemen and safeguard regional peace.
It may be recalled that Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman had called on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to respond to Saudi-Emirati mediation efforts and de-escalate tensions in eastern Yemen, urging the group to withdraw its forces from camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahra and hand them over peacefully to local authorities.
In a statement addressed “to our people in Yemen” and published on X, Prince Khalid said Saudi Arabia’s intervention came at the request of Yemen’s internationally recognised government and aimed to restore state authority across the country through the Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope operations.
The Kingdom also affirmed its support for the President, the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government to achieve security, stability, development, and peace in Yemen.
Since December 3, STC forces have seized control of parts of Hadramout after clashes with the Hadramout Tribes Alliance and First Military Region troops. Four days later, they extended their presence to Al-Mahra, which had previously been under government control.
The STC argues that successive governments have politically and economically marginalised the southern regions, a claim rejected by Yemeni authorities, who maintain their commitment to Yemen’s territorial unity.
The STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, holds a seat on Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council but has increasingly acted independently.
Analysts warn that the escalation could undermine Yemen’s fragile truce and strengthen the Houthis, who have controlled northern Yemen, including Sanaa, since 2014.
