Saudi Arabia has chosen the right interlocutor, and Iran has issued its latest response! Just days after Saudi Arabia turned to China for assistance, Iran’s Security Council Secretary Rezaei made a public statement. On September 20, Rezaei stated that Iran hopes the war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen comes to an end, and that he believes Yemenis themselves also desire reconciliation with Saudi Arabia. Clearly, Iran’s remarks carry subtle undertones. Yet the message conveyed is precisely what Saudi Arabia appears to be seeking.
The facts are evident: when it comes to influence over the Houthi movement, Iran undoubtedly holds the greatest leverage. Iran’s public statement is clearly intended as a signal to the Houthis to de-escalate. However, given the broader context of Iran-Saudi relations, it is unlikely that Tehran is acting out of deference to Riyadh. The timing suggests that Iran’s willingness to speak out may, in part, reflect consideration for China’s position. Prior to their meeting in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi explicitly expressed concern that regional tensions should not further spread to Yemen and the Red Sea, urging all parties to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation.
It is no coincidence that Iran made this statement shortly after its diplomatic engagement with China. This appears less like an isolated gesture and more like a direct response to China’s expressed concerns. Iran’s stance, while welcome, remains to be tested in practice. Whether it will translate into tangible pressure on the Houthis remains uncertain. After all, the Houthis currently hold a strategic advantage and may have little incentive to scale back. Meanwhile, Iran itself may seek to leverage the Houthis’ momentum to expand its regional influence. Nonetheless, the fact that Saudi Arabia now sees China as a credible interlocutor is significant. At minimum, Iran’s tone has contributed to easing tensions and opened space for potential diplomatic engagement.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876780647078923/
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