Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Houthi official Mohammed Abdelsalam in Oman as part of a diplomatic tour aimed at addressing regional tensions following missile strikes on Israel. They discussed conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, emphasizing the need for diplomatic resolutions while reiterating Iran’s readiness for potential conflict.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in discussions with a senior representative of Yemen’s Houthi movement, Mohammed Abdelsalam, during a diplomatic visit to Muscat, Oman. This meeting was part of Araghchi’s extensive tour across the region, aimed at reinforcing alliances amidst rising tensions involving Israel and Iran following an Iranian missile offensive. The Iranian foreign ministry released images of the meeting, highlighting its significance as Araghchi continues consultations with regional allies and key Middle Eastern nations in light of Israel’s threats of retaliation. The dialogue also included consultations with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, focusing on regional developments such as the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, where Israel is currently engaged with Hezbollah and Hamas fighters. Official sources reported that both ministers emphasized the necessity of diplomatic solutions to disputes, advocating for an end to what they termed the Israeli regime’s aggression. Significantly, this visit follows Iran’s missile strike on Israel on October 1, executed in response to the deaths of pro-Iranian commanders. The subsequent Israeli threat of retaliation heightens the stakes in the ongoing regional conflict, which also encompasses the alignment of the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah as part of Iran’s broader resistance strategy against Israel. Following engagements in Oman, Araghchi had also held meetings in Baghdad, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, where discussions predominantly centered on establishing ceasefires and preventing the escalation of conflict. Araghchi reiterated Iran’s position, asserting, “we are fully prepared for a war situation … but we do not want war, we want peace.”
The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have intensified due to the conflict involving Israel, Iran, and their respective allies. Iran’s support for groups such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza underscores its role in regional conflicts and the axis of resistance it forms against Israeli military actions. The recent missile strikes by Iran against Israel mark a significant escalation, prompting regional powers to seek diplomatic solutions to avoid wider conflict. Diplomatic engagements, like the one between Iran and Houthi leaders, reflect the efforts to maintain alliances and address the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon amidst ongoing violence.
The diplomatic meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Houthi representative Mohammed Abdelsalam underscores Iran’s strategic efforts to solidify alliances in the face of escalating tensions with Israel. The discussions also highlight a collective regional desire for diplomatic resolutions and the urgent need to curb aggressions that threaten broader stability. Iran’s readiness for potential conflict, juxtaposed with its expressed preference for peace, reflects the complex nature of its foreign policy amidst the ongoing crises.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
