Grundberg in Tehran Seeking Iranian Pressure on Houthis to Ease Tensions in Yemen

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg is received by officials upon his arrival at Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg is received by officials upon his arrival at Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Grundberg in Tehran Seeking Iranian Pressure on Houthis to Ease Tensions in Yemen

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg is received by officials upon his arrival at Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg is received by officials upon his arrival at Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg arrived in Tehran on Sunday in the hopes of urging Iran to pressure the Houthi militias in Yemen to ease tensions in the region.

Tensions have been high with the Houthis continuing to launch rockets and drones at Israel in what they say are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with a series of strikes against Houthi targets in Sanaa and other areas held by the Iran-backed militias.

“Following his visits in Muscat and Sana'a last week, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg is in Tehran today, as part of a series of regional and national meetings conducted under his mediation efforts to advance peace in Yemen,” said the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen on the X platform.

In Tehran, Grundberg met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi, who reiterated his country’s support for the role and efforts of the United Nations in aiding the improvement of the situation in Yemen.

He condemned the repeated airstrikes by the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel on Yemen’s infrastructure, describing these attacks “as blatant violations of Yemen’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as grave breaches of international law and the United Nations Charter,” his office said on a post on X.

The use of “force and lawlessness” by the US and UK effectively serves to support “Israel's genocide in Gaza and is an unprecedented threat to regional peace and security, with consequences affecting all nations in the region,” he warned.

Grundberg expressed “gratitude for Iran’s stance and commitment to stability and security in the region, particularly in Yemen. He provided a briefing on his recent visit to Sanaa and outlined the United Nations’ actions and initiatives aimed at establishing peace and stability in Yemen.”

Grundberg also “underscored the importance and necessity of continued consultations and dialogue” Tehran.



UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
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UN Suspends All Trips into Houthi-Held Areas after More Staffers Detained

27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)
27 December 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: A Houthi supporter brandishes a rifle during a demonstration against the United States and Israel following Israeli air strikes on significant facilities in the Yemeni cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah, which are under Houthi control. (dpa)

The United Nations on Friday suspended all travel into areas held by Yemen’s Houthi militias after more of their staff were detained by the militants.

The Houthis have already detained UN staffers, as well as individuals associated with the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and aid groups.

“Yesterday, the de facto authorities in Sanaa detained additional UN personnel working in areas under their control,” the UN statement read. “To ensure the security and safety of all its staff, the United Nations has suspended all official movements into and within areas under the de facto authorities’ control.”

Before Friday, the UN had a total of 16 Yemeni staff in Houthi detention. Staffers were trying to get a headcount across the UN agencies working in the country and had halted their work, which provides food, medicine and other aid to the impoverished nation.

In June, the UN acknowledged 11 Yemeni employees were detained by the Houthis under unclear circumstances as the militias increasingly cracked down on areas under their control. Several dozen others from aid agencies and other organizations are also held.