Discussing regional conflicts… Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Iran hold a call; Iran expresses willingness to facilitate dialogue regarding Yemen

The Houthis, an Iran-backed Shiite militant group in Yemen, have recently launched multiple severe attacks against Saudi Arabia, sparking heightened regional tensions. According to the Saudi Press Agency and foreign media reports, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal and Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi spoke by phone on the 11th to discuss the recent escalation of regional conflict and efforts to de-escalate tensions. This marks the first publicly disclosed contact between high-level officials from the two nations since the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia.

In a social media post, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi expressed deep concern over the escalating regional tensions, emphasizing that insisting on military means while ignoring political solutions would only further complicate the situation. Araghchi reiterated that there is no military solution to the regional crisis and stated that Tehran is willing to provide all possible assistance to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, ultimately aiming for a political resolution.

Over the past week, the Houthi movement has launched multiple attacks against Saudi Arabia. Notably, a missile strike on Riyadh International Airport on the 10th resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries—the deadliest attack within Saudi territory in more than a decade. In response to this wave of attacks, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey issued a joint statement strongly condemning the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and demanding that the group immediately and unconditionally cease such actions.

Amidst rising pressure regarding regional security, US media have revealed complications in the interactions between Saudi Arabia and the United States. US officials indicated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made multiple calls to US President Trump in September, urging the US military to launch airstrikes against the Houthis, but Trump refused. The New York Times reported that Trump had at one point ordered an attack but rescinded the order at the last minute.

Furthermore, Trump noted that the Houthis have so far refrained from attacking US vessels; the US has maintained contact with the group and understands that they have agreed not to engage in hostilities against the United States. Some U.S. military officials have noted that if the U.S. military were to resume airstrikes against the Houthis, the group’s current posture toward U.S. vessels could shift. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow the U.S. to use its airspace and airbases for potential operations against Iran has left Washington undecided on whether to engage in direct military conflict.

Beyond military and geopolitical challenges, Houthi attacks targeting Saudi airports have directly impacted the Kingdom’s economy. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Houthis aim to sever Saudi Arabia’s connections to the outside world; alongside energy exports, tourism and the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) sector have become vital pillars of the country’s recent economic growth. Attacks on facilities such as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and sites in southern cities—occurring during the peak season for conferences and tourism—threaten to significantly dampen the willingness of business travelers and tourists to visit the Kingdom.