Iranian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss Yemen tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone discussion on Thursday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to review regional developments, Iranian state media reported.

According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the two ministers exchanged perspectives on the latest security and political shifts across the Middle East, as well as ongoing diplomatic tracks aimed at bolstering regional stability, without providing further specifics on the discussions.

The diplomatic engagement follows the 2023 resumption of bilateral ties between Tehran and Riyadh after years of estrangement.

However, relations remain tested by the protracted conflict in Yemen, where the Houthi movement continues to fight the internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government while exchanging military strikes with Saudi Arabia.

Iran has consistently denied direct involvement in the confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Ansar Allah (the Houthis), despite the Yemeni group's prominent alignment within Tehran's regional alliance network, known as the "Axis of Resistance."

In addition to his conversation with Prince Faisal, Araghchi held separate calls with the foreign ministers of Qatar and Oman, two Gulf states actively spearheading mediation tracks concerning the ongoing regional war and negotiations involving the United States.