‘No military solution’ to Yemen conflict, says Araghchi

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 26, 2026

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for renewed dialogue to resolve the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen, stressing that there is no military solution. This appeal comes amid increased hostilities, including a Houthi blockade of Saudi ports, which threatens regional stability and complicates efforts to end the decade-long war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated on Saturday that the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen has no military solution, urging all parties to return to dialogue. The escalation between Saudi forces and the Tehran-backed Houthi militia, which had been largely contained since a United Nations-mediated truce in 2022, intensified earlier this month amid a Houthi-declared blockade of Saudi ports and reported attacks on oil tankers.

Araghchi, speaking in an interview published by the state-run Iran Daily newspaper, emphasized that resolving the crisis requires diplomatic efforts involving not only Saudi Arabia and Yemen but also other regional countries. He stated that the situation in Yemen and the incidents near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait stem from longstanding disputes between Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and other regional actors, rather than being solely attributed to Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Bagaei echoed this position, expressing Tehran’s readiness to facilitate negotiations between the conflicting parties. He underlined that a return to dialogue and the full implementation of a previously agreed roadmap represent the only viable path to end the suffering of the Yemeni population and restore regional security and stability.

The renewed tensions in Yemen coincide with broader regional dynamics, including Iran’s simultaneous blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which, along with the Bab al-Mandab Strait, constitutes critical maritime routes for Saudi Arabia’s trade and energy exports. The Houthi blockade of Saudi ports has raised concerns about disruptions to the kingdom’s supply chains and increased the risk of wider regional instability.

While Iran supports the Houthi militia politically and militarily, Araghchi insisted that Tehran is not responsible for the outbreak of violence in Yemen. Instead, he framed the conflict as rooted in complex historical and geopolitical factors involving multiple regional parties.

The Saudi-led coalition has been engaged in conflict with the Houthis since 2015, aiming to restore the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The recent flare-up complicates ongoing efforts to achieve a durable ceasefire and a political settlement to the nearly decade-long war, which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.