Saudi Arabia Offers $1 Billion for Houthi Ceasefire

The Government of Saudi Arabia reportedly offered $1 billion to Yemen's Houthi group as part of an Iran-brokered deal to secure a ceasefire and halt attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman traveled to Tehran for talks involving Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

While some diplomatic sources claim the funds were transported via a Hercules military aircraft, Saudi officials have not confirmed the transfer. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated the visit was part of efforts by the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance to de-escalate tensions and support mediation by Qatar and Pakistan. However, the Houthis claim Saudi Arabia reneged on previous financial agreements, while Saudi Arabia maintains it rejects ceasefires based on military blackmail and requires the return of seized territory before transferring funds.

These diplomatic efforts occur as Houthi rebels launch ballistic missile attacks against Saudi-backed forces in Yemen's Aden and Lahj provinces. In response, the Saudi-led coalition reported destroying Houthi missile tunnels, and Egypt's parliament approved a request from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran or its proxies could attack to disrupt upcoming elections, stating the military is ready to defend and strike.