Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (3rd left) is seen in an official meeting with UN special envoy for Yemen, in the Iranian capital, Tehran. (Photo: IRNA)
Tehran, February 9 (RHC)-- Iran’s foreign minister says the Islamic Republic is ready to support special efforts made by the United Nations to resolve the ongoing crisis in the war-torn Yemen.
Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks in a Monday meeting with the visiting UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, during which the two sides discussed the latest developments in Yemen as well as ways to restore peace and stability to the war-ravaged country.
Referring to the developments in Yemen after the Saudi-led conflict plunged the country into chaos, the top Iranian diplomat stressed the need to reduce the suffering and hardships of the impoverished people of Yemen, saying that the sole solution to the Yemeni crisis is a political one, because the situation cannot be improved through imposition of war.
During the meeting, Zarif also expressed Iran’s full readiness to support any effective measure taken by the UN to resolve the crisis in Yemen in view of the very difficult conditions that plague the country as a result of the war and economic siege imposed on the Yemeni people by Saudi Arabia and its allies.
Griffiths, for his part, highlighted the importance of being informed of the Islamic Republic’s views on ways of restoring peace and stability to Yemen.
He also explained the UN’s viewpoints on the Yemeni crisis with special emphasis on the need to establish ceasefire, provide economic aid to the impoverished country and help resume political dialog among all involved parties.
The UN special envoy for Yemen arrived in Tehran on Sunday for consultations about the ongoing crisis in the Arab world’s poorest country, which has endured almost six years of incessant military aggression by a Saudi-led coalition.
During his stay, Griffiths has held meetings and exchanged ideas with top Iranian officials on the means of ending the crisis in Yemen.
Tehran devised a four-point plan aimed at restoration of peace to Yemen and submitted the proposal to the United Nations no later than a month after the Saudi-led coalition launched its attacks. The plan proposes the establishment of a ceasefire, the transfer of humanitarian assistance to the war-hit nation, the launching of intra-Yemeni dialog, and the establishment of a broad-based government.
Backed by the United States, the UK and other Western states, Saudi regime and a coalition of its allies have been engaged in a military against Yemen since early 2015 with the aim of reinstalling a Riyadh-friendly government there.
