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Iran Denies Orchestrating Houthi Attacks, Offers to Mediate

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 17, 2026•2 min read

Iran denied Saudi accusations that Tehran orchestrated Houthi attacks, calling them not credible, and offered to mediate the conflict.

Key Facts

The Iranian government denied Saudi Arabia's accusation that Tehran is behind the surge in attacks by Yemen's Houthi group, on Friday (10/16/2026).
The denial was delivered by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, a day after Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly accused Iran of driving the escalation in Houthi attacks.
Baqaei stressed that the Houthis act on their own interests and assessments, not on Iran's instructions; Riyadh's claims were called not credible.
Amid the tensions, Iran offered to serve as a mediator to help end hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi targets since Yemen's civil war reignited in July, including Riyadh's international airport, where 13 people were killed.
The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in the strongest terms, including threats to shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Tehran: Riyadh's Claims Not Credible

The Iranian government denied Saudi Arabia's accusation that Tehran is behind the surge in attacks by Yemen's Houthi group against the kingdom. The denial was delivered by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Friday (10/16/2026), a day after Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly accused Iran of driving the escalation.

Baqaei stressed that the Iranian government is not involved in military operations carried out by the Houthi group. According to him, Yemen's armed forces act on their own interests and assessments, making such claims unbelievable.

Krimly had earlier said Iran continues to arm, train, and support the Houthis in breach of UN Security Council resolutions, and accused the group of rejecting an offer to meet in Oman when the latest round of fighting began.

Iran Offers to Mediate

Amid escalating tensions, Iran instead offered to serve as a mediator to ease tensions between Riyadh and the Houthi group. Baqaei said Tehran stands ready to use its good offices to help end hostilities if both sides request it.

The Houthis — part of the 'Axis of Resistance' network opposing Israel — have intensified attacks on Saudi targets since Yemen's civil war reignited in July. The strikes have hit oil facilities, tankers in the Red Sea, and Riyadh's international airport, where 13 people were killed last week.

The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, including threats to shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Tehran's mediation offer opens a diplomatic avenue, though it remains unclear whether Riyadh and the Houthis are prepared to return to the negotiating table.