Saudi Arabia Offered Houthis $1 Billion in Secret Iran-Brokered Deal
Reports suggest Saudi Arabia offered $1 billion in an Iran-brokered deal to end Houthi attacks. Read the details of the secret Tehran talks.
In a stunning revelation by Israeli media, Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered a massive sum of USD 1 billion to Yemen's Houthi group. This proposal was allegedly part of a high-stakes, Iran-brokered effort to secure a ceasefire and put an end to the persistent attacks targeting the kingdom's territory.
The Secret Mission to Tehran
According to diplomatic sources in the Gulf, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman traveled to Tehran to engage in critical talks. The proposed arrangement involved transferring the USD 1 billion to the Houthis via Iran. In a particularly dramatic detail, one diplomatic source claimed that the Saudi Minister actually transported the funds aboard the Hercules military transport aircraft used for his journey to the Iranian capital.
While the reports paint a picture of a direct financial transaction, a Saudi official has not confirmed that any money was actually transferred.
A High-Level Diplomatic Gathering
The negotiations in Tehran were not a bilateral affair but involved several key regional power players. The talks reportedly included:
- Iran: President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaei, and senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
- Turkey: Intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
- Pakistan: Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The initiative reportedly gained momentum following a visit by the Pakistani army chief to Tehran a week prior. This meeting also marked the first official encounter between the Iranian leadership and representatives of the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance.
The Drivers of the Deal
The push for mediation came as Saudi Arabia faced escalating attacks on its oil facilities and airports, resulting in significant economic losses. Simultaneously, Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have created instability and disrupted oil exports from the Gulf region.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued an official statement regarding the visit, noting that Prince Khalid bin Salman and representatives of the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance were acting to de-escalate tensions. The ministry emphasized that these efforts support ongoing mediation led by the State of Qatar and Pakistan.
The Dispute Over Previous Agreements
The current tension is not entirely new. A Saudi official told Israeli media that part of the conflict stems from the implementation of understandings reached three years ago. Under those previous terms, Saudi Arabia was expected to provide direct financial aid to the Houthis to:
- Pay salaries for public-sector workers in Houthi-controlled regions.
- Rebuild essential civilian infrastructure.
In exchange, the Houthis were supposed to maintain a ceasefire. However, the Houthi group has recently justified its renewed attacks by claiming that Saudi Arabia failed to honor those earlier financial commitments.
The Stumbling Blocks
Despite the reported offer, a significant divide remains. The Saudi position is that the kingdom will not succumb to "military blackmail." Riyadh is reportedly opposed to transferring any funds to the Houthis until the group returns territories seized from Yemen's internationally recognized government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
Amidst this, Iran is attempting to position itself as the primary regional diplomatic mediator, seeking to establish a security framework led by regional powers while opposing military intervention from the United States or Israel.
Note: The reported USD 1 billion proposal and the claim that the money was physically brought to Tehran have not been independently confirmed.