Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered a $1 billion financial package to Yemen's Houthi rebels through an Iran-mediated arrangement aimed at securing a ceasefire and ending attacks on the kingdom's critical infrastructure, according to Israeli media reports citing Gulf diplomatic sources.
Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the proposal was discussed during Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman's visit to Tehran on Monday, where Iranian officials offered to facilitate negotiations between Riyadh and the Houthis.
The reported arrangement seeks to halt attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and other strategic installations amid escalating tensions across West Asia. However, Saudi authorities have not confirmed the alleged financial offer or whether any funds have been transferred.
๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฑ๐ถ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ต๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป
According to the report, Prince Khalid travelled to Tehran aboard a Hercules military transport aircraft for discussions with Iranian and regional officials.
One diplomatic source claimed that the Saudi minister had brought the $1 billion aboard the aircraft. However, the allegation has not been independently verified, and a Saudi official did not confirm any transfer of money.
The talks reportedly involved Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
Iranian representatives included President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaei and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry confirmed the defence minister's visit, saying it formed part of efforts by the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance to reduce regional tensions and encourage diplomatic solutions.
The ministry also referred to mediation efforts involving Qatar and Pakistan but made no mention of the alleged $1 billion proposal.
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐
The proposed financial package is reportedly linked to understandings reached between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis approximately three years ago.
Under those arrangements, Riyadh was expected to provide financial assistance to support the payment of public-sector salaries in Houthi-controlled areas and help reconstruct civilian infrastructure damaged during Yemen's prolonged conflict.
In return, the Houthis were expected to maintain a ceasefire and refrain from attacking Saudi territory.
However, the implementation of those understandings has remained disputed. The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of failing to fulfil its commitments and have cited the alleged violations while justifying renewed attacks.
A Saudi official quoted by Israeli media acknowledged that disagreements over the earlier arrangements remained unresolved but did not confirm the reported financial transfer.
๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ต ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
The reported diplomatic initiative comes amid renewed Houthi attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil installations and other infrastructure.
The escalation has disrupted economic activity and heightened concerns over the security of energy supplies across the Gulf.
Attacks involving Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have also complicated oil exports, increasing pressure on regional governments to pursue diplomatic solutions.
According to Israeli media, Saudi Arabia remains opposed to entering a new ceasefire under military pressure and has resisted transferring funds before the Houthis return territory captured from Yemen's internationally recognised government.
These competing demands could complicate efforts to secure a lasting agreement.
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
Iran's reported involvement reflects Tehran's efforts to position itself as a regional mediator amid growing tensions involving Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel.
The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, are aligned with Iran and have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said on October 20 that neither Saudi Arabia nor the Houthis had responded to Tehran's earlier offer to facilitate negotiations.
The latest discussions in Tehran indicate renewed diplomatic engagement, although the precise terms of any proposed agreement remain unclear.
The reported $1 billion offer has not been independently confirmed, and there has been no official announcement that the Houthis have accepted the proposal or that a ceasefire agreement has been finalised.