The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic issued a statement on Friday, September 11, demanding an end to what it termed the “illegal and inhumane blockade of Yemen” and calling for the resumption of political negotiations, coinciding with advances by Houthi forces along the Red Sea coast and their capture of the strategic port of Mokha.
In its official statement, Tehran emphasized Yemen’s “independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” asserting that the conflict cannot be resolved through blockades or “military campaigns,” and urging a return to dialogue based on agreed-upon roadmaps.
Tehran also expressed readiness to offer its “good offices” to facilitate peace talks. This diplomatic stance comes as the Iran-backed Houthis have escalated offensives against forces affiliated with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, advancing toward positions adjacent to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Houthi forces seized control of the western coastal port city of Mokha on Thursday, September 10. The Associated Press confirmed the capture, citing Houthi and Yemeni government officials. Mokha sits approximately 80 kilometers north of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime choke point connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and a critical artery for international trade and global energy shipments.
