Saudi Defense Chief Visits Tehran to Broker Houthi Ceasefire Deal

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran in a high-stakes diplomatic mission aimed at brokering a ceasefire with the Houthis, according to Gulf diplomatic sources. The discussions reportedly center on a potential one-billion-dollar transfer to the Yemeni group, with one source claiming the funds arrived aboard the defense chief's military Hercules aircraft.

The diplomatic push was organized by partners of the Mecca Agreement, including Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Despite the mutual defense pact, Pakistan and Turkey previously provided only military advisors rather than active combat support, prompting intensified diplomatic outreach to de-escalate regional tensions.

Iranian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaee, participated in the talks alongside senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials. Tehran offered to mediate the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement to stabilize regional oil exports.

While the Saudi Foreign Ministry stated the visit aims to promote dialogue and support mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan, local sources note the talks address longstanding demands for financial support to civilian infrastructure and public sector salaries in Houthi-controlled regions in exchange for halted attacks against the kingdom.