Saudi Arabia offers $1 billion to Houthis for peace, Pakistan's Asim Munir joins talks: Report

Saudi Arabia has offered $1 billion to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels in a bid to secure a ceasefire and restore oil exports, reported an Israeli media outlet. The talks were held as part of the Mecca pact and Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was involved in the negotiations aimed at containing the escalating Middle East crisis.

According to a report published by Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom on October 27, Riyadh's proposal is part of efforts to de-escalate tensions, with Pakistan, Turkey and Iran involved in talks aimed at halting attacks on Saudi infrastructure.

The report, citing diplomatic sources in the Gulf, said Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman's surprise visit to Tehran was



aimed at securing an understanding with the Houthis through Iran. Israel Hayom cited a source claiming that the Saudi minister even carried the money aboard the Hercules military transport aircraft on which he arrived in the Iranian capital.

However, the report did not establish that any payment had been made, and a Saudi official did not confirm a transfer.

Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin were also involved in the talks, according to the newspaper. The meeting is a significant diplomatic development in the Middle East, bringing representatives of the Saudi-led Mecca Joint Defence Alliance into discussions with Iranian leaders over a crisis threatening regional security and energy supplies.