G7 Demands Iran End Support for Yemen Houthis

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations have urged Iran to immediately stop arming and supporting Houthi forces in Yemen following an escalation in regional fighting. The joint statement warns that recent military advances near crucial shipping corridors threaten both international trade and global energy security.

G7 Demands Military Ceasefire

In a statement released on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, diplomatic leaders from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States condemned Houthi actions in the region. The ministers called on the group to stop targeting civilian vessels and end all offensive operations.

The G7 ministers stated that Iran must “end its arming of and support” for the Houthis. They urged the armed group to “immediately cease all military actions” and re-engage in political negotiations, while reaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Escalating Conflict Along the Red Sea

The diplomatic push follows recent Houthi advances along Yemen’s western coastline. Houthi forces established control over territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow maritime pass connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden that carries a significant portion of global commercial shipping.

In response to Houthi advances, a Saudi-led coalition conducted hundreds of airstrikes in coastal areas. According to Houthi-affiliated media cited by the AFP news agency, recent Saudi strikes on the port city of Mokha killed at least six people—including a woman and two children—and injured eight others. Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the reported strikes in Mokha.

Concurrently, Houthi forces launched hundreds of drone and missile strikes into southwestern Saudi Arabia, targeting infrastructure and cities, including the capital, Riyadh. The United Nations estimates that over 120,000 people have been displaced by the surge in violence, with thousands fleeing across the Red Sea.

International Military Responses

Facing increased attacks, Saudi Arabia requested military support from Western allies. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that Britain would provide “defensive air-to-air refuelling” support to Saudi Arabia, deploying a single Voyager aircraft stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. British officials noted the deployment followed consultations with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.

An unnamed diplomatic source told AFP that France has pledged defensive aid aimed at securing Saudi energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military assistance from US President Donald Trump. US media reported that Trump is in “deciding mode” regarding potential military actions, while US embassies across the Middle East issued heightened security alerts over the weekend.

Political Stances and Denials

The Houthis align themselves with the Iranian-led coalition of regional groups opposing Western and Israeli influence. Tehran has consistently denied Western and regional accusations that it supplies weapons or military hardware to the Houthis, maintaining that its involvement is strictly political. Iranian representatives are expected to address the UN General Assembly later this week.

Background

Yemen’s civil war escalated dramatically after Houthi forces seized control of the capital, Sanaa, pushing the country’s internationally recognized government into exile and prompting a military intervention led by Saudi Arabia. The Bab al-Mandab Strait serves as a vital bottleneck for maritime petroleum shipments and international cargo traveling between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.