G7 Joint Statement: Tehran Must Halt Houthi Arms Supplies Amid Regional Crisis
The G7 ministers condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. They warned that the intensifying conflict between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and Iranian-supported militias poses a severe threat to both regional and global energy security.
Thousands of refugees have fled Yemen recently as Houthi forces seized strategic coastal areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This narrow waterway is a critical gateway for global maritime trade. Although Iran denies directly supplying weapons, claiming its support is purely political, the foreign ministers of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US issued a unified demand. They urged the Houthis to cease all military actions and attacks on commercial vessels, calling for a return to good-faith political negotiations.
The declaration labeled the militia's actions as reproachableand warned of a dangerous escalation pattern that threatens international trade and economic stability. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while pledging continued support for the country's legitimate government.
The Human and Strategic Cost of Conflict
The conflict's impact is increasingly visible on the ground. According to reports citing Houthi-affiliated media, at least six people—including two children and a woman—were killed in Saudi airstrikes on the port city of Mokha. Eight others were injured in the strike on the city, which the militia had captured from pro-government forces earlier this month. Saudi Arabia has yet to issue an official comment on the reported bombing.
The UN estimates that over 120,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the surge in violence along the Red Sea coast. By seizing the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden, the Houthis have gained control over a vital maritime choke point.
International Military Involvement and Diplomatic Tensions
Saudi Arabia has launched hundreds of airstrikes in response to the Houthi advance. In turn, the militia has fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Saudi infrastructure, including the capital, Riyadh. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that Britain will provide air-to-air refueling support for Saudi jets. This defensive operation involves a Voyager aircraft stationed in Cyprus and was approved following consultations with Defense Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
France has also pledged to help secure Saudi energy infrastructure through defensive measures. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly requested military aid from US President Donald Trump. Reports from The New York Times suggest the President has spent weeks weighing options, telling Fox News he is in a decision moderegarding potential actions against Iran.
As tensions rise, US embassies across the Middle East have issued new security alerts. The Houthis remain a key part of the Iran-led axis of resistance,which includes Hamas and Hezbollah. While Iran denies violating the UN arms embargo, Western powers have repeatedly intercepted illicit weapons shipments destined for Yemen. A 2024 UN expert panel concluded that Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah have provided the training and equipment necessary to transform the Houthis into a formidable military force.