No plan to close Iran embassy in Yemen: Diplomat

A senior Iranian diplomat has reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s strong support for Yemen, saying Tehran has no plan to close its embassy in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Monday dismissed claims by the Qatar-based satellite TV channel Al Jazeera that Iran’s ambassador to Sana’a along with other embassy staff had fled the war-hit country.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador in Sana’a has come to the country for just a few days for medical examinations,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

He added that the ambassador has been conducting his mission during the Saudi military campaign against Yemen and heavy airstrikes in Sana’a.

“Undoubtedly, Iran’s embassy [in Sana’a] will continue its routine activities,” the official pointed out.

He noted that Iran has given necessary warnings to Saudi Arabia to protect the Iranian diplomatic missions in Yemen based on international diplomatic and consular regulations.

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Amir-Abdollahian further said, “We will strongly back the Yemeni people in the fight against terrorism and will undoubtedly continue our effective political and humanitarian support for the Yemeni people.”

He once again expressed Iran’s opposition to military approaches toward Yemen and expressed Tehran’s support for a political solution based on Yemeni-Yemeni dialog as well as efforts by the United Nations to solve the ongoing crisis in the Arab country.