Iran offers to mediate with Saudi Arabia following deadly Houthi strikes on Riyadh

Iran offers mediation after deadly strikes

Iran has offered to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis following two days of strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that left 14 people dead.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press conference in Tehran that his government was deeply concerned by the escalating violence across the Arabian Peninsula. He stated that Tehran does not wish to see hostilities continue between Islamic nations and stands ready to help initiate direct engagement between the parties.

The diplomatic proposal follows a Houthi strike on Sunday that killed one person and injured 11 others at Riyadh's primary airport. That attack came a day after a strike on Saturday left 13 people dead, marking the highest single-day death toll from such attacks on Saudi soil in over a decade.

The Houthis form part of a broader network of armed groups backed by Tehran in the region. While the group has targeted Saudi energy and transportation sites in the past, the high loss of life in the latest airport strikes represents a sudden escalation.

Regional allies condemn attacks on civilian targets

The strikes have drawn swift condemnation across the Middle East. Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke by phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to condemn the attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on Saudi sovereignty.

Safadi confirmed that a Jordanian citizen was among those killed in the airport attack, while several other Jordanian nationals sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Prince Faisal offered his condolences over the Jordanian casualty, while Safadi thanked Saudi medical staff for providing immediate care to the wounded.

Jordan reiterated its absolute support for Saudi Arabia, stating that Amman stands fully behind any measures taken by Riyadh to safeguard its national security, territory, and residents.

The telephone consultation between the Saudi and Jordanian foreign ministers forms part of broader regional efforts to coordinate responses to the attacks. It is not yet clear whether Saudi Arabia will consider Tehran's mediation offer, as Riyadh has not publicly commented on the Iranian proposal.