Amidst a tense regional landscape, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Mohammed Abdelsalam, a prominent figure from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, in Muscat, Oman. The meeting, confirmed by Araghchi’s office and accompanied by photos released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, highlights a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region following Israel’s pledge to respond to a recent Iranian missile attack.
Araghchi’s visit to Muscat comes as part of a broader diplomatic push to navigate the escalating tensions. The meeting with Abdelsalam was described as a “meeting and discussion” by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, underscoring the importance of communication and dialogue in the current climate.
This meeting follows a string of diplomatic trips by Araghchi, including visits to Baghdad, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, where talks centered on establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza and preventing the conflict from spiraling out of control across the region.
The recent escalation began when Iran launched 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, claiming it was retaliating for the deaths of Tehran-aligned militants in the region and a general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Israel, in turn, has vowed to retaliate for the attack, further heightening the already tense situation.
The Huthis, along with the Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza and Hezbollah, form part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” – a network of militant groups aligned against Israel. The current tensions have placed a spotlight on this axis and the complexities of regional politics.
While acknowledging the potential for war, Araghchi has reiterated Iran’s commitment to peace. “We are fully prepared for a war situation… but we do not want war, we want peace,” he stated on Sunday. This statement reflects the delicate balance between seeking peaceful resolutions and maintaining a strong military posture in the face of mounting tensions.