Iran Dismisses Military Solution to Yemen Crisis, Urges Talks

Local Editor

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham confirmed that the crisis in Yemen cannot be settled militarily.

Speaking at her weekly press conference in Tehran on Wednesday, Afkham stressed that the conflict in the Arab country must be resolved through talks.

Yemen has been targeted by Saudi aggression since March 26 in a campaign aimed at restoring power to the fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Saudi Arabia's military aggression against the impoverished Arab country, which is being carried out without a United Nations mandate, has claimed the lives of almost 2,600 people so far.

Afkham criticized a United Nations Security Council [UNSC] resolution on Yemen, saying it fell short of condemning attacks on civilians as well as the destruction of the Arab country's infrastructure.

She said that talks on the conflict in Yemen should involve all parties to the crisis, adding that such negotiations should lead to the formation of a national government.
On Tuesday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution, calling on the Houthis, who are part of the Popular Committees advancing in Yemen, to withdraw from areas they have seized, including the capital, Sana'a.

The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid to Yemeni people, but fell short of condemning Saudi airstrikes.

Afkham said that Iran and the P5+1 group would resume nuclear talks at the deputy-level next week, adding that experts from the two sides will also attend the negotiations.

She said Iran's negotiating team seeks to ensure the dignity of the Iranian nation as well as the country's access to peaceful nuclear technology.

She also stressed that Iran would not agree to a final deal over its nuclear program at any price.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team