US Envoy Calls Yemen Truce Chance For Iran To Show Goodwill
US Special Envoy for Yemen says the two-month truce between a Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis is an opportunity for the Islamic Republic to show its goodwill.
In an interview in Amman on Saturday, Tim Lenderking called the UN-brokered ceasefire a "decisive moment" in the near seven-year conflict and can serve as a first step" to a permanent peace.
"We would like to see Iran move away from the negative tactics and role they have played up this point," he said, adding that “If the international community and parties can work together this could be built into a lasting ceasefire and inclusive political process that ultimately gives shape to a new Yemen".
Iran has also welcomed the breakthrough as the warring sides in Yemen's conflict have agreed to a two-month nationwide truce.
It is reasonable to assume that without Tehran’s agreement the Houthis would not have accepted a ceasefire with Riyadh since the Yemeni conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The United States and others have criticized Iran for supplying missiles, drones and other weapons to the Houthis as part of its drive for regional influence and attempts to weaken Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Tehran is asking Washington to lift sanctions imposed on its Revolutionary Guard that is managing proxy forces in the Middle East.
