Grundberg in Riyadh to Discuss Expanding Yemen Truce

United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg. (AFP file)
United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg. (AFP file)
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Grundberg in Riyadh to Discuss Expanding Yemen Truce

United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg. (AFP file)
United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg. (AFP file)

United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grunberg arrived in Riyadh on Monday as part of efforts to expand the truce in the war-torn country.

The nationwide truce is set to expire on October 2. It was first adopted in April and has since been twice renewed for a two-month period each time.

Official sources said Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber met with Grundberg on Monday.

Jaber stressed Saudi Arabia’s support to the UN’s efforts to expand the truce with the aim of reaching a comprehensive ceasefire and political solution.

Grundberg had suggested to the Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthis four proposals to expand and improve the truce, including extending it for more than two months at a time.

He has yet to receive responses to his proposals.

In his latest statements, he remarked that results cannot be reached “if there is no political will on the part of the Yemeni parties, and this is necessary for success.”

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and government are not opposed to making concessions that will favor people living in areas controlled by the Houthis, however, the militias’ failure to commit to their pledges regarding the reopening of routes to besieged Taiz city remain a main obstacle in the extension of any truce.

The Houthis, for their part, continue to impose new conditions with the aim of achieving political and economic gains. They have already exploited the truce to loot resources and oil derivatives revenues at Hodeidah port and recruit new fighters.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam Flita recently suggested that the militias may impede Grundberg’s latest proposals if Sanaa International Airport is not reopened without any restrictions.

He also suggested that the UN monitoring mechanism at Hodeidah port be removed.

The Yemeni government estimates that the Houthis managed in the past six months to reap 200 billion rials (a dollar is worth around 560 rials in militia-held regions) from oil derivatives revenues at Hodeidah port.

These funds have all gone towards the militias’ military efforts and recruitment of new fighters in preparation of a new round of fighting.

Moreover, the army has accused the Houthis of committing thousands of violations of the truce that have killed and injured around 1,200 civilians and soldiers.



Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
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Washington, Manama Sign Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation

US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025.  EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL
US President Donald J. Trump (C-R) meets Bahrain's Prime Minister and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 16 July 2025. EPA/AARON SCHWARTZ / POOL

The US and Bahrain on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement in the field of peaceful nuclear energy shortly before a meeting in the White House between US President Donald Trump and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“This is an important signing,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the signing ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

He added: “It serves as the first step towards a deeper civil nuclear cooperation – an example that the United States is prepared to be a partner with any nation on Earth that wants to pursue a civil nuclear program that clearly is not geared towards weaponization or threatening the security of their neighbors.”

Rubio did not mention by name Iran, which Israel and Washington accuse of seeking nuclear weapons.

“And this is a – no one better to do it with than such a strong partner that we’ve been working with for so long. This only strengthens our relationship,” Rubio said.

Later at a meeting with Trump, Bahrain's Crown Prince announced plans to invest more than $17 billion in the United States.

“We're very happy to be announcing $17 billion worth of deals that are coming to the United States,” said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He then joked with journalists at the White House, saying, “And this is real. These aren't fake deals.”

Asked whether Iran should return to the negotiating table with the US over its nuclear program, the Crown Prince said: “The ball is in their court. They are the ones who stand to benefit from a negotiation.”