Yemenupdated 2h ago2 min read
MapSaudi Arabia Offers Houthis $1 Billion Via Iran Mediation To Maintain Ceasefire
3 Asian3 West Asian1 Israeli1 Western MainstreamMap: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman traveled to Tehran to negotiate ceasefire with Houthis. Iran-mediated plan would transfer $1 billion to Houthis to halt attacks.
Tehran ceasefire talks
Saudi Arabia offered one billion US dollars to Yemen's Houthi rebels to maintain a ceasefire and stop attacks on its country, as Israeli media reported during talks mediated by Iran. Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled to Tehran to negotiate a ceasefire with the Houthis, and a diplomatic source claimed the money was also brought on the Hercules military aircraft he was traveling in.
The talks reportedly included Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin, Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, alongside Iranian officials. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that the visit of its Defense Minister and representatives of the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance to Tehran aims to reduce tension, encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and support mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan.
Who is in the room
The Economic Times said the talks reportedly involved Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside Iranian officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaei.
Israel Hayom said Iran was represented by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Gen. Mohsen Rezaei and senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Israel Hayom also said the visit was arranged by Saudi Arabia's partners in the Mecca defense pact, and it described the proposed arrangement as Saudi Arabia transferring $1 billion to the Iranian-backed proxy through Tehran.
A Saudi official did not confirm that any money had been transferred, while the Saudi Foreign Ministry framed the Tehran visit as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions and support mediation by Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Money, attacks, and conditions
The Times of India said Saudi Arabia would provide direct financial assistance to the Houthis to pay public-sector salaries in areas under Houthi control and rebuild civilian infrastructure, with the Houthis expected to maintain a ceasefire and stop attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Times of India said the Saudi position reportedly remains that the kingdom will not agree to a new ceasefire under "military blackmail" and opposed transferring funds to the Houthis before they returned territory seized from Yemen's internationally recognised government.
Ratopati said Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia in recent months of not implementing the old agreement, while Israeli media reported the Saudi side opposed providing funds before a new ceasefire under military pressure and return of occupied areas. Israel Hayom said the Houthis have been attacking airports and, in particular, oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, and it said Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil exports from the Gulf.