Amid ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering a 1 billion dollars payment to Yemen's Houthi rebels through Iran in exchange for peace. The Houthis have targeted Saudi airports and oil facilities, inflicting significant economic damage on the kingdom.
According to a report by Israel Hayom, Saudi Arabia may be considering offering the Houthis 1 billion dollars through Iran in exchange for peace. However, the alleged financial arrangement has not been independently confirmed, and there is no confirmation that any money has been transferred.
Iran is involved in the negotiations because Tehran supports the Houthis and has offered to mediate between them and Saudi Arabia. This provides Iran with an opportunity to position itself as a key negotiator in Middle Eastern affairs and strengthen its regional influence.
What does the report say?
According to Israel Hayom citing diplomatic sources, Saudi Arabia may be considering transferring 1 billion dollars to the Houthis through Iran as part of a potential ceasefire agreement.
The report said Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman made a surprise visit to Iran aimed at securing a ceasefire with the Houthis. Under the reported arrangement, Saudi Arabia would transfer 1 billion dollars to the Iranian-backed group through Tehran.
It further said bin Salman had even brought the money with him aboard the Hercules military transport aircraft on which he arrived.
The visit was reportedly arranged by Saudi Arabia's partners in the Mecca defense pact, along with Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Iran was represented by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, and senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis amid the ongoing crisis in Yemen.
These developments come as the Houthis continue to target Saudi airports and, in particular, oil facilities, causing substantial economic damage to the kingdom. Meanwhile, Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted oil exports from the Gulf, adding to regional instability.
In an official statement regarding the meeting, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said, "The visit to Tehran by Prince Khalid bin Salman, the defense minister, and representatives of the member states of the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance comes as part of the alliance's ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between the parties to the current crisis, encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and support the mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."
Was 1 billion dollars offered to the Houthis?
The report did not confirm that any money had been transferred to the Houthis. However, speaking to Israel Hayom, the official noted that part of the dispute with the group concerns the implementation of understandings reached three years ago.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia had previously agreed to provide financial assistance to the Houthis to help pay government employees' salaries and rebuild civilian infrastructure. In return, the Houthis were expected to stop attacking Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have justified their attacks by claiming that Saudi Arabia reneged on its agreement. Iran has supported the group amid the dispute.
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While the reported 1 billion dollars arrangement could form part of efforts to secure a ceasefire, the details remain unverified, and it is unclear whether any agreement has been reached.