Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran is "not at war" with Saudi Arabia, at a time when tensions in the region have escalated and the Tehran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified clashes with Riyadh.
Speaking in New Delhi, where he is attending the BRICS summit, Pezeshkian said Yemen's Houthis "have their own problems," seeking to distance Iran from direct clashes between the group and Saudi Arabia. The statement comes as the Houthis' advance and their attacks on Saudi territory have raised concerns about a wider escalation in the region.
In the same interview, the Iranian president said that Tehran has no "problems" with the United Arab Emirates or other countries in the region. According to him, Iran's opposition is mainly related to the presence of US military bases in the Middle East.
Pezeshkian also spoke about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important sea routes for global energy transport. He confirmed that Arab foreign ministers will meet on Monday in Oman to discuss an agreement related to the reopening and guaranteeing navigation in this strategic corridor.
Pezeshkian's statements come at a time when Iran and the Gulf countries are trying to avoid escalating the conflict, while the BRICS summit in New Delhi has placed the need to reduce tensions and protect international shipping routes at the center of discussions.
