Turkey Seeks Iran's Help to Curb Houthi Escalation Against Saudi Arabia
Turkey turns to Iran to help curb Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia while expanding military cooperation with Riyadh under a tripartite defense pact.
Turkey finds itself in a complex strategic trap, forced to turn to Tehran to curb military escalation with the Houthis in Yemen. As Ankara prepares to expand military assistance to Saudi Arabia following escalating Houthi attacks, it is simultaneously trying to persuade Iran to use its influence to calm tensions.
Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Talks
Turkish diplomatic efforts gained momentum after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara is working to resolve the crisis through peace and dialogue. These remarks came against the backdrop of urgent talks, including a conversation between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as a discussion between Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
The Houthi Threat and Defense Pacts
The backdrop features a lethal Houthi attack on the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed 13 people and injured over 300. This escalation tests the tripartite defense agreement signed in Mecca between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, stating that an attack on one is considered an attack on all.
Ankara aims to freeze the crisis and provide primarily technical and defensive support, fearing that sending troops to the field will drag it deep into the line of fire.
Experts note that Tehran is in no rush to calm tensions, potentially preferring to let the Houthis pressure the Saudis to improve its own regional bargaining positions.
