TEHRAN: Tehran on Monday rejected as “ridiculous and baseless” accusations by Saudi Arabia that Iran was supporting rebels and blocking peace efforts in Yemen.

“The Saudi foreign minister’s claims that our country has been blocking peace efforts in Yemen are ridiculous and baseless,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said.

“Iran has condemned the aggression (against Yemen) since the beginning...and will not spare any efforts to stop this bloody and detestable war,” Mr Ghasemi said in a statement published on the ministry’s website.

Both sides in the Yemen conflict have come under harsh criticism for their neglect of civilian safety.

“Repeating such false accusations will not reduce the responsibility... of those who have committed heinous crimes, particularly murder, destruction of schools and hospitals and pushing an innocent population to famine,” Mr Ghasemi said.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2017