United Nations envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg seized the Saudi-Iranian agreement, which calls for restoring diplomatic relations, to carry out a visit to Tehran in the hopes of pushing forward efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen.
The envoy met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, his senior advisor, Ali Asghar Khaji and other senior Iranian officials to discuss recent developments in Yemen
In a tweet, his office said: “Discussions tackled the need for regional support for the start of an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices to sustainably end the conflict.
“During meetings, Grundberg stressed that ending the conflict in Yemen is important for enhancing regional security,” it added.
The envoy is expected to deliver a briefing to the UN Security Council on Yemen on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Yemeni parties stressed that reviving peace efforts in their country cannot be achieved without the disarmament of the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
Yemeni circles have hoped that the Saudi-Iranian agreement would help ease tensions in their country and pave the way to permanent peace.
The Houthis have since October been refusing to renew and expand the nationwide truce that started in April and expired six months later.
Nearly a week since the China-sponsored agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran was announced, pro-government Yemeni parties opposed to the Houthis reiterated their support to the government that is committed to dialogue and resolving disputes through diplomatic and peaceful means.
The alliance of Yemeni parties said that achieving comprehensive and just peace cannot be established without the Houthis laying down their arms.
In a statement, they said “they greatly look forward to the role China can play and the understandings that were declared between Saudi Arabia and Iran.”
They underscored “the importance this role can play in avoiding more conflicts in the region and restoring peace and security based on good intentions.”
Moreover, they hoped this role would “lead Iran to cease supporting the Houthis and shift towards peace, ending the Houthi coup and restoring the state according to the agreed upon references.”
