Saudi Arabia has publicly accused Iran of encouraging Yemen's Houthis to attack the kingdom, saying it violates a 2023 diplomatic deal it reached with Tehran to smooth over relations.
"We think the escalation by the Houthis at this later stage of the conflict is encouraged by Iran," Rayed Krimly, deputy minister for public diplomacy at the foreign ministry, told journalists on Friday, in a rare public statement.
Krimly’s comments mark the first public signal that the war in Yemen has put pressure on Riyadh’s ties to Tehran.
Krimly said that the Houthis’ attacks were a breach of a March 2023 rapprochement that was brokered by China under which Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations.
At the time, the agreement was seen as a sign of China’s successful foreign policy. Beijing has good ties with both Tehran and Riyadh.
“[Iran] continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in violation of its commitments in the Beijing agreement,” Krimly said.
The agreement was generally understood to include a commitment from Tehran to restrain the Houthis in support of a United Nations-backed ceasefire.
Read more: Saudi Arabia says Houthi attacks violate terms of rapprochement with Iran