Iran on Monday welcomed efforts by the UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, to seek an end to the long-running conflict in Yemen.
“We welcome and support all efforts by the UN that could lead to an effective solution of the problem in Yemen,’’ said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a meeting with Griffiths in Tehran.
Zarif said the war in Yemen was the wrong option from the start.
Griffiths began a two-day visit to Iran on Sunday amid renewed efforts to end the long-running war in impoverished Yemen between a Saudi-backed government and Iran-linked rebels.
The conflict of more than six years in Yemen has pushed the country to the brink of famine and wrecked its health facilities.
The United Nations has described Yemen as the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis.
An Iranian peace initiative presented by Griffiths included an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid for the more than 20 million Yemenis.
The special envoy also proposed talks between the warring parties and democratic elections with the participation of all political groups.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, said: “We hope that the efforts of your special envoy will mark the beginning of the end of the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen.
“If not another political manoeuvrer, the American change of course is a step in the right direction.’’
Griffiths’ visit came days after U.S. President Joe Biden declared an end to U.S. support for a military campaign in Yemen led by Saudi Arabia, a regional rival of Iran.
