Amid a large number of casualties resulting from an attack by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on the airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Iran has expressed deep concern over the worsening situation and stepped up to actively support dialogue between the two sides.

Notably, Iran's expression of its willingness to support dialogue came as the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held their first direct contact to discuss ways to ease tensions.

During a regular briefing on the 12th (local time), Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Iran is "deeply concerned" about the escalating clashes between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, including the airport attack that took place over the weekend.

Spokesperson Baghaei emphasized, "We express serious concern over the developments unfolding in the Arabian Peninsula, and we have repeatedly stated that we are ready to make every effort to facilitate dialogue between the parties and provide 'good offices'."

Regarding the current regional situation, he said, "Our region is already sufficiently tense due to the actions of the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel)," adding, "The continuation and escalation of tensions will ultimately only benefit the Zionist regime, and we do not welcome the continuation of conflict and war between two Islamic nations."

Regarding the solution to the Yemen issue, Baghaei pointed out, "This issue should have been resolved long ago through an agreement between Yemen and Saudi Arabia."

He expressed regret, saying, "There was a roadmap agreed upon between the two sides at the time, and Iran supported the full implementation of that agreement, but it ultimately did not come to fruition."

He also mentioned that Iran had warned against a worsening of the situation at the time of the attack on SANA Airport in Yemen on July 22, expressing concern over the current conflict situation.

On the 10th, Houthi rebels attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other locations, leaving at least 14 people dead and some 300 others injured.

As both sides continue a fierce exchange of military strikes, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly held a telephone conversation to discuss ways to ease regional tensions, drawing attention to the diplomatic search for a solution between the two countries.

(Photo: Capture from the Iranian Foreign Ministry website, Yonhap News)