A major development has emerged in international diplomacy and the geopolitical equations of West Asia. According to sources, Saudi Arabia has proposed to offer one billion US dollars to halt the relentless attacks by the Houthis. Reports indicate that this entire agreement has been finalized through the mediation of Iran. During this sensitive and diplomatically crucial process, representatives of the Mecca Pact member states were also present, prominently including countries like Pakistan and Turkey. Israeli media, citing various diplomatic sources in the Gulf region, claimed that Saudi Arabia has made this massive offer of one billion US dollars to Yemen's Houthi group. The primary objective of this financial proposal and agreement is to enforce a ceasefire in the region and completely stop the fatal attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and its critical infrastructure.
Secret visit to Tehran and the role of the defense minister
According to information gathered from various media reports and diplomatic sources, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman specifically traveled to Tehran, the capital of Iran, to negotiate a ceasefire and peace agreement with the Houthis. Under this proposed and sensitive agreement, it has been highlighted that a massive sum of one billion US dollars is to be channeled through Iran to Yemen's Houthi group. This major deal has triggered widespread international speculation, given the traditional geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Consequently, an agreement of this nature mediated by Iran reflects the shifting political landscape of West Asia.
Presence of Pakistan and Turkey in the diplomatic delegation
A prominent diplomatic source also claimed that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman carried this huge amount in the very same Hercules military transport aircraft that he used to fly to Tehran. However, official authorities and ministries of Saudi Arabia have not yet officially confirmed whether any cash amount or financial assistance was actually transferred, while according to reports, this high-level talk in Tehran also saw the active participation of Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. In addition to these regional heavyweights, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary-General Mohsen Rezaei, and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also present, underlining the strategic significance of the meeting.
Heavy economic losses for Saudi Arabia due to Houthi attacks
According to detailed reports, Iran offered to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis amid escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia's major airports and oil installations. These successive strikes have inflicted heavy economic damage on the Saudi economy. Also, Iranian attacks on oil tankers in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted oil exports from the entire Gulf region, triggering turmoil in global energy markets. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement regarding this visit.
Official statement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry and the Mecca Pact
Detailing the entire visit in an official statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit to Tehran by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and representatives of the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance is an important part of the alliance's ongoing efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions among all parties involved in the current regional crisis. Also, the visit aims to promote dialogue and diplomatic solutions, as well as to fully support the mediation efforts continuously undertaken by Qatar and Pakistan to establish lasting peace in the region.
Terms of agreement and reconstruction of basic infrastructure
Speaking to Israeli media, a senior Saudi official, while not explicitly confirming the direct transfer of funds, didn't deny it either, stating that a major part of this dispute with the Houthis involves implementing agreements reached three years ago. Under these legacy agreements, Saudi Arabia was to directly provide financial assistance to the Houthi rebels in Yemen to advance sincere efforts toward resolving this complex conflict. The main purpose of this proposed funding, among other things, was to timely pay salaries to government employees in Houthi-controlled areas and to rebuild destroyed basic infrastructure for ordinary citizens. According to reports, in exchange for this economic assistance, the Houthis were clearly expected to strictly comply with the ceasefire without any conditions and completely halt attacks on and within Saudi Arabia's borders.