G7 Urges Iran to Stop Arming Houthis as Yemen Conflict Threatens Global Trade
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations have issued a joint statement calling on Iran to "end its arming of and support" for the Houthi movement in Yemen. The statement, released ahead of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, also condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "in the strongest terms".
The G7 ministers warned that the recent escalation in fighting against Saudi-backed forces in Yemen poses a threat to regional and global energy security. "We call on the Houthis to immediately cease all military actions, all threats and attacks against civilian shipping, and to return to the political process in good faith," the statement said.
The ministers described the Houthi actions as "a dangerous pattern of escalation that risks further exacerbating the conflict, undermining international trade and creating global economic instability."
The statement comes as thousands of refugees have fled Yemen in recent days after the Houthi group, which the G7 says is backed by Iran, seized territory along the country's Red Sea coastline, including areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical shipping route for global trade.
The G7 foreign ministers—from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—reaffirmed their support for the "legitimate Government of Yemen" and their commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where senior Iranian officials are due to speak. The G7's statement reflects growing international concern over the Houthi advance, which has displaced thousands of civilians and raised fears of a wider conflict.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognised government. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a chokepoint for global trade, with millions of barrels of oil passing through daily. Any disruption there could have far-reaching consequences for energy markets and shipping. The Houthis' recent gains near the strait have heightened concerns about the security of this vital waterway.
The G7's call for Iran to stop arming the Houthis is likely to increase pressure on Tehran as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly. Iran has previously denied providing military support to the Houthis, but Western nations and the United Nations have documented evidence of arms shipments, including missiles and drones, that they say are of Iranian origin.
The international community must work towards a political solution to the Yemeni conflict, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in need and that the sovereignty of Yemen is respected. The G7's statement underscores the urgency of de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
As the UN General Assembly convenes, the situation in Yemen is expected to be a key topic of discussion. The G7's unified stance sends a clear message that the international community is watching and will hold those who fuel the conflict accountable.
