World · Middle East · 59 mins ago
Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks, Tehran denies involvement
Saudi Arabia accused Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks on the kingdom, according to Rayed Krimly, a senior foreign ministry official.
Iran denied involvement, saying the Houthis act in their own interests.
The attacks have targeted airports, oil facilities and other sites in Saudi Arabia, including its capital, Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic relations in 2023 under a deal brokered by China, which Riyadh says included a commitment to restrain the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia says the attacks breach that deal and has accused Iran of continuing to arm and train the group; Iran disputes the accusation.
Saudi Arabia also says the Houthis refused its request to meet in Oman, while the two countries’ foreign ministers have spoken by phone.
The attacks have added strain to regional ties and rattled global markets, while Saudi Arabia says it remains in contact with Iran and the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia accused Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks on the kingdom, which it said violated commitments under the 2023 rapprochement agreement.
Iran denied playing a role in Houthi operations and said the group acts according to its own interests.
The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and Red Sea vessels with missile and drone attacks.
Iran offered to help mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia said it had not requested Iranian mediation.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and Iran, with Yemen’s Houthi movement involved.
- What
- Saudi Arabia accused Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks; Iran denied involvement and offered to help mediate.
- When
- Saudi Arabia made the accusation on October 15 and 16, 2026. Iran denied it on October 16.
- Where
- The attacks targeted sites in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh’s international airport, oil facilities and vessels in the Red Sea.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia said the attacks were encouraged by Iran and breached the 2023 agreement. Iran said the Houthis act according to their own interests.
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Responsibility for the attacks
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia said Iran encouraged the Houthis’ escalation and continues to arm, train and support the group.
Iran
Iran rejected claims that it played a role in Houthi operations and said the group acts according to its own interests.
The 2023 agreement
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia said the Houthi attacks breached Iran’s commitments under the Beijing agreement.
Iran
Iran denied involvement in the attacks; the articles do not report a direct Iranian response to the specific claim that the agreement was breached.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthis reached a ceasefire that ushered in a fragile truce.
Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a rapprochement agreement brokered by China and resumed diplomatic relations.
Yemen’s civil war flared back to life, according to Le Monde EN.
Saudi diplomat Rayed Krimly said Iran was encouraging the Houthi escalation.
Iran denied involvement and offered to help mediate between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi accusation
- Iran was encouraging Houthi attacks, according to Rayed Krimly.
- Iran’s response
- Tehran denied playing a role in Houthi operations.
- Diplomatic agreement
- Saudi Arabia and Iran restored diplomatic relations under a China-brokered agreement in March 2023.
- Riyadh airport attack
- 13 people were killed in a single attack last week, according to Le Monde EN and Daily Sabah.
- Saudi targets
- Houthi attacks have targeted airports, oil facilities and Red Sea vessels.
7 sources
Iran denies Saudi accusation of involvement in Houthi attacks
Irán niega implicación en ataques hutíes contra Arabia Saudita
Iran Bantah Terlibat Serangan Houthi ke Saudi, Siap Jadi Mediator
Saudi Arabia says Houthi attacks violate terms of rapprochement with Iran
Iran denies role in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, offers mediation
Saudi diplomat claims Iran encourages Houthi attacks on the kingdom
What people are saying
We think the escalation by the Houthis at this later stage of the conflict is encouraged by Iran
We maintain direct channels of communication with the Houthis, and Oman serves as a facilitator of these talks and not as a mediator
The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any claim that Iran has played a role in Yemeni (Houthi) operations.
has always been ready to use its good offices to help end the hostilities