Politics · World News Bureau
G7 calls for end to Houthi attacks on Saudi shipping routes
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven have demanded that Yemen's Houthi rebels cease their maritime strikes while calling on Iran to halt weapons supplies to the militant group.
LSN World News ·
The Group of Seven's foreign ministers issued a joint statement Thursday pressing the Iran-backed Houthis to end their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, which have disrupted global trade routes and endangered vessels transiting the region.
The appeal coincided with intensified diplomatic pressure on Tehran, whom Western nations accuse of arming and supporting the militant organization. G7 members have characterized the shipping strikes as destabilizing actions that threaten international commerce and maritime security.
The Houthis have conducted repeated attacks on commercial vessels in recent months, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid regional tensions. The assaults have prompted shipping companies to reroute cargo around the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant costs and delays to global supply chains.
The G7's call underscores broader concerns among Western nations about Iran's role in regional conflicts. Officials have emphasized that Tehran's continued military support for the Houthis perpetuates instability and undermines efforts to restore freedom of navigation in crucial waterways.
The statement marks the latest international effort to address the escalating maritime security crisis. However, previous calls for restraint have yielded limited results, with the Houthis continuing their operations despite growing international isolation and economic hardship in Yemen.