Iranian FM denies support to Houthis, calls for Yemen ceasefire

• Zarif says Iran is ready to play facilitator’s role in resolving Yemen crisis
• Condemns killings of eight Iranian border guards on Pakistan border, lauds announcement of probe by country

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that Iran favours a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.

Addressing a joint press conference with PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Zarif said, “We have agreed to work together for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen.” He demanded a halt to the Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen, saying these actions have increased sufferings of the people in Yemen. He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen to give opportunity to the peace process.

“We support intra-Yemeni dialogue to find out solution and to form a broad-based government there,” Javad Zarif said, denying that Iran was providing military support to the Houthis rebels. He added that Iran is ready to play the role of a facilitator if it’s asked for such a role.

The Iranian FM warned that the Islamic State and al Qaeda are taking advantage of the situation in Yemen and they have already taken control of some areas. He said Pakistan and Iran face the serious challenges of terrorism and extremism and referred to the recent killing of eight Iranian guards near the Pakistani border region. He welcomed Pakistan’s announcement to investigate the incident.

Zarif said he had also discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Sartaj Aziz and both men had agreed to work together for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Addressing reporters, Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan favours unity among all Muslim nations. He also called for peaceful solution to the crisis in the Middle East.

Zarif’s two-day visit to Pakistan comes amid heightened regional diplomacy over Yemen. The Iranian foreign minister is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday (today).

Zarif reached Islamabad from Oman, where he had gone for consultations on “the humanitarian plight in Yemen and regional developments”, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The Iranian foreign minister is leading a 22-member delegation, which includes Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Rahimpour, DG West Asia Affairs Rasool Islami and a media adviser.

“The visit will be in the framework of strengthening bilateral relations, surveying the regional and international developments, and boosting Iran-Pakistan border security,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham said.

Zarif’s visit has been on the cards for a few weeks, but got delayed because of negotiations with P5+1 over the nuclear programme. Taking place against the backdrop of Yemen conflict and Pakistan’s much speculated participation in the Saudi-led military coalition, the Iranian officials say that Yemen would dominate the agenda.

Iran has been expressing its interest in working with Pakistan on ending the Yemen dispute.

“We are willing to have necessary cooperation with Pakistan in the settlement of regional issues, particularly the issue of Yemen,” Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said at a ceremony at Pakistan Embassy in Tehran on Sunday night.

Talking to Iranian official news agency IRNA, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Noor Mohammad Jademani expressed the hope for a peaceful settlement of the Yemen crisis and said that peace in Yemen was in the interest of the entire Muslim world.