US officials today confirmed that during Monday’s talks between Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian FM Javad Zarif, Kerry had asked Iran to help facilitate peace talks in Yemen.
Interestingly, Iran has been the one pushing for peace in Yemen for weeks now, while the US has loudly endorsed the Saudi war. US officials now seem to think Iran is the key to getting the Houthis to the negotiating table.
Yet the Houthis never seemed to be averse to negotiations in the first place, and it has been the Saudis and their allies that have demanded unconditional Houthi surrender before any talks would even be considered.
It’s unclear what the US expects Iran to do in this case, as their influence with the Houthis is almost certainly overstated, and their ability to get them to agree to terms agreeable to the Saudis, who seem eager to continue the sectarian war, is likely non-existent.
How about having some serious talks with the Saudis first?
I suspect an overt approach to Iran IS a serious communication to the Saudis.
We know perfectly well from our experience with Iran everywhere else that they won't produce what we say we demand from the Houthis. At best, they'd produce what the Houthis have always said they are willing to do.
So what is the point of a public approach to Iran? It can only be to let others see a public approach to Iran.
What a bizarre revelation? Better late than never I guess.
You really have to wonder about the size of this fellows stones and the colossal arrogance and short memory. So, there must be more that the KerryKlown is asking/demanding that we're not privy to. He can't be that shallow, can he?
Obviously, they're hoping to get the Iranians to try to influence the Houthis to lay down their arms and surrender, because that's the US precondition for talks. Possibly Kerry thinks the ongoing nuclear talks constitute a veiled threat that Iran should do as asked or else. I doubt Iran will bite, largely because they at least know they have no leverage with the Houthis.
There's got to be some deception involved. Since when does the US prefer peace when scads of money can be made on war and more war.