G7 Urges Iran to Stop Arming Yemen’s Houthis

A Houthi fighter holding a rocket-propelled grenade launcher during a military exercise. Collected photo.

The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have called on Iran to end its arming and support of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, warning that such assistance is contributing to a dangerous escalation and threatening international trade and global stability.

The ministers issued the call in a joint statement following a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. They strongly condemned continued Houthi military operations in Yemen and attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The G7 also called on the Houthis to immediately stop all military activities, threats and attacks against civilian shipping and to return to the political process in good faith.

The ministers said threats and attacks on civilian vessels were harming international trade and regional stability, particularly given the strategic importance of shipping routes in and around the Red Sea.

The statement comes amid a renewed escalation in Yemen, with the Houthis carrying out attacks against Saudi targets and advancing along parts of the Red Sea coast. Iran has been accused by Western and regional sources of providing the Houthis with weapons and other military support, while Tehran has denied directly directing the group's operations.

The G7 comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The group regularly discusses major global economic, security and foreign-policy issues.