Iran denies involvement in Yemen fighting

Key facts

• Iran's Foreign Ministry denied involvement in the Yemen war.
• Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated Iran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs.
• Baqaei described the Houthis as "entirely independent actors".
• The Houthis seized territory on Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
• Saudi Arabia launched 54 airstrikes across western Yemen.
• Houthi missile attacks killed eight Yemeni government troops.

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Monday denied any involvement in the war in Yemen, following recent territorial gains by the Iran-backed Houthi movement. Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters that "Iran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs," adding that the Houthis are "entirely independent actors who make their decisions based on their own interests."

The Houthis announced last week that they had seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. In response, Saudi Arabia launched 54 airstrikes across western Yemen over 24 hours, according to the group. Houthi missile attacks in western Yemen killed eight troops from Yemeni government forces, while two civilians were killed in Saudi strikes that destroyed a bridge in Taiz province, military sources told AFP.

The renewed fighting occurs as the wider regional war remains at a stalemate. US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he was open to holding talks with Iran, saying, "The failing Nation of Iran wants to make a deal, quickly and badly. I will determine whether or not the U.S.A. will choose to engage - The concept of which we are open to." A proposed meeting between Gulf states and Iran over the future of the Strait of Hormuz was postponed, with Tehran accusing Riyadh of using Yemen as a "pretext" to delay the talks. Analysts dispute the extent of Iran's backing for the renewed fighting, though Tehran has long supported the Houthis as part of its "axis of resistance."