Saudi strikes meant to break down Yemenis' resistance: Deputy FM

Saudi Arabia is conducting “deliberate” attacks against Yemeni civilians with the purpose of breaking down their resistance, says Hossein Jaberi Ansari, the deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African affairs.

“Saudis’ attacks on Yemeni civilians and infrastructures are a deliberate move in order to break down resistance of the country’s people,” Jaberi Ansari said in a meeting with Switzerland's State Secretary in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Yves Rossier in Tehran on Saturday.

“Such measures and complete economic blockade [of Yemen] will not fulfill the aggressors’ objectives,” the top Iranian diplomat added.

He also pointed to the alleged shooting of missiles at a US Navy destroyer in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, saying, “It is possible that the move was carried out by the opponents of the Sana’a government with the aim of preparing the ground for the US military intervention in Yemen.”

Jaberi Ansari further stressed the importance of maintaining security across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

“Security of the international waterway of Bab el-Mandeb Strait is important for us and must be respected by all sides,” the Iranian official said.

He also called for serious talks in Yemen by observing the rights of all the warring sides.

SS