Iran Backs European Nations’ Push for Yemen Ceasefire

European officials say talks have progressed 'significantly'

Jason Ditz 

Posted onMay 29, 2018CategoriesNewsTagsBritian, France, Germany, Iran, Yemen

Iranian officials confirmed Tuesday that they have been backing a push by European nations Britain, France, and Germany to secure a ceasefire deal in Yemen. The goal is both a ceasefire and increased access to humanitarian aid.

European officials say that negotiations on the ceasefire have progressed “significantly,” though there is as yet no sign that the pro-Saudi forces are willing to consider a ceasefire. Previous ceasefires have been short-lived, with the Hadi government condemning any effort at a power-sharing deal.

Iran’s value in his effort is unclear. They have limited ties with the Shi’ite Houthi movement, but the Houthis have long embraced peace talks to begin with, and would seemingly be trivial to get to the negotiating table anyhow.

Rather, the suggestion is that the three European nations are trying to blunt US allegations against Iran by showing that they can be brought into positive regional endeavors. The US has embraced Saudi allegations that Iran is “destabilizing” Yemen, though these claims are broadly just the Saudis trying to retroactively justify how poorly their invasion of Yemen has gone.

https://news.antiwar.com/2018/05/29/iran-backs-european-nations-push-for-yemen-ceasefire/