UN envoy to Yemen discusses ceasefire with Iran

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, has discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire in Yemen during a telephone call with UN Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

A statement by the Iranian foreign ministry released on Monday said that Abdollahian reiterated Tehran’s support for Ahmed’s efforts to broker a new ceasefire and lift the humanitarian siege in Yemen, as well as holding an effective dialogue between rival groups and completing the political process in this country.

According to the statement, Abdollahian stressed that: “Iran has explicitly rejected the Saudi-led military action in Yemen and [has] described it as a strategic mistake that will only result in killing Yemeni people, spreading terrorism and destabilising security in the sensitive Gulf area.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the Yemeni groups and parties can reach a permanent agreement under the UN auspices,” Abdollahian is reported to have said.

The statement said that Ahmed explained to the Iranian official his efforts to bring about a quick humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen during his Gulf tour and the ongoing negotiations with representatives of Yemeni groups in Sanaa.

According to the statement, Ahmed said regional support and Iran’s role has strengthened efforts to “stop the war quickly and reduce the Yemeni people’s suffering”.

“The humanitarian situation in Yemen has reached a catastrophic end, therefore the only solution is to stop the war and declare a truce and to settle problems through dialogue,” he is reported to have said.