Saudi Arabia has offered to pay $1 billion to Iran to help end the Houthi attacks in Yemen and secure a ceasefire, Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom claimed. The report, citing diplomatic sources in the Gulf region, said the offer was linked to a visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. However, Saudi authorities have not confirmed the transfer or the offer.
The news was reported by various media outlets, including the Times of India, on Tuesday (October 27). According to the report, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran to discuss a ceasefire with the Houthis. A diplomatic source claimed that $1 billion was also taken on the military transport plane on which he arrived in Tehran. However, no independently verified evidence has been published to support this claim.
Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in Tehran
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met with Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday (October 26). The talks aimed to de-escalate the regional conflict and find a diplomatic solution.
The Saudi delegation was led by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. Pakistan was represented by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkey by its intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin. Senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pajhwok, also attended the meeting.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said the visit was aimed at reducing tensions between the parties to the current crisis, encouraging dialogue and a diplomatic solution, and supporting Qatar and Pakistan's mediation efforts. However, the statement did not mention any offer to give the Houthis $1 billion.
Dispute over implementation of old agreements
Israel Hayom reported that an agreement was reached about three years ago to pay salaries to government employees in Houthi-controlled areas and provide financial assistance for rebuilding infrastructure, in exchange for a halt to Houthi attacks.
A Saudi official did not confirm the transfer of funds, but cited disagreements over the implementation of old agreements as one of the reasons for the conflict. The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of breaking its promises. On the other hand, the media report on Saudi Arabia's position said that Riyadh does not want to enter into any new agreement under military pressure.
The claim for payment is still unverified.
The report of a $1 billion offer to stop the Houthi attacks is largely based on unnamed diplomatic sources. Saudi Arabia's official statement confirmed the visit to Tehran and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, but did not back up the claim of funding.
Therefore, the Houthis' offer to pay or the fact that the money was flown to Tehran cannot be considered as a confirmed fact. An official statement from Saudi Arabia, Iran, or the Houthis on this issue would provide a clearer picture of the veracity of the claim.
