Iran urges UN to immediately stop operation in Yemen

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to put an immediate end to Operation Storm of Resolve in Yemen and provide humanitarian aid to the Yemenis, according to reports from Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

IRNA’s report yesterday noted that Zarif had a telephone conversation with the UN secretary-general during which he urged Ban to put an end to the Saudi military attack on Yemen, which aims to hinder the Houthis’ progress in the country. He also asked the secretary-general to send humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people.

During the phone call, Zarif mentions his four-point plan to resolve the Yemeni crisis which he proposed at an earlier time. He stressed the need to resume dialogue between the parties concerned with the Yemeni crisis as soon as possible. Zarif also noted that his country is willing to contribute to resolving the crisis.

On his part, Ban praised Iran’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Yemeni crisis, and stressed the urgent need to send medical aid and food to the people of Yemen.

He also welcomed the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group. He stated that he will continue to support the negotiations until they reach a final agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

Since 26 March, Arab alliance planes, led by Saudi Arabia, have been bombing Houthi military targets as part of Operation Storm of Resolve. Riyadh has said that this military attack is in response to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s request for military intervention to “protect Yemen and its people from the violence of the Houthi militias.”