Saudi Arabia Accuses Iran of Encouraging Houthis in Latest Escalation

Saudi Arabia Accuses Iran of Encouraging Houthis in Latest Escalation

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging Yemen’s Houthi movement to intensify attacks against the kingdom, adding another layer of tension to an already volatile Middle East conflict.

Dr Rayed Krimly, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister for public diplomacy at the foreign ministry, said Iran continues to arm, train and support the Houthis. He claimed that the latest escalation was being encouraged by Tehran and accused Iran of acting in violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Saudi Arabia Reports Increasing Houthi Attacks

Saudi Arabia has faced a growing number of attacks in recent days, including strikes targeting important infrastructure. According to the Saudi-led coalition, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been targeted 20 times this month.

Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities have caused significant casualties. He reported that attacks on Riyadh airport had killed 17 people and injured 333 others, while attacks on Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia had killed three people and wounded 28.

The coalition has also accused the Houthis of using increasingly sophisticated military technology, including ballistic missiles, drones and explosive-laden boats.

Saudi Arabia Says Iran Supports the Houthis

The Saudi government maintains that Iran is providing important military and technical assistance to the Houthis. Krimly said Tehran continues to arm, train and support the group despite international restrictions.

Saudi Arabia has also linked the latest escalation to the wider regional conflict involving Iran and the United States. The accusations come at a particularly sensitive moment, with military tensions affecting several countries across the Middle East.

Iran has not accepted Saudi Arabia’s allegations. Tehran has previously maintained its own positions regarding the conflict and its relationship with the Houthis, meaning the competing claims remain part of a broader regional dispute.

Houthis Declined Meeting in Oman, Saudi Says

According to Krimly, Saudi Arabia attempted to arrange a meeting with the Houthis in Muscat, Oman, in an effort to address differences and reduce the escalation.

He said the Houthis refused to attend the proposed meeting, which Saudi officials described as the most recent direct attempt to engage with the group.

Saudi Arabia says it continues to maintain communication channels with both Iran and the Houthis. Oman has previously played an important role in facilitating contacts between the different sides in Yemen’s long-running conflict.

Wider Risks for the Middle East

The renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could have consequences well beyond Yemen and the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest oil exporters, while the broader region contains some of the most important energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the world. Any sustained attacks on airports, oil facilities or other critical infrastructure could increase uncertainty in international energy markets.

Reuters reported separately that Houthi attacks are putting additional pressure on Saudi Arabia's economic ambitions and could increase the risk of a wider Gulf confrontation.

Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis

Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia’s accusation that Iran is encouraging the Houthis represents another serious development in the region’s escalating tensions. Riyadh says Tehran continues to provide military support to the group, while Saudi officials are also attempting to maintain communication channels and explore diplomatic solutions.

With attacks continuing and critical infrastructure coming under pressure, the situation remains highly volatile.