Iran rejects Saudi claim of meddling in Yemen

The goings-on inside Yemen are its internal affairs and Iran calls on other countries to avoid interfering in the impoverished country, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast.

"Tehran has repeatedly called for dialogue and a peaceful solution to the problem," he said.

The spokesman said that Saudi Arabia's claim came as "a surprise" to Iran, adding that, "We expected our Saudi brothers to move toward reforming their policies regarding Yemen, instead of accusing others."

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal has accused Iran of interfering in Yemen's internal affairs. The accusation comes after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denounced the Saudi military intervention in the war against Houthis in northern Yemen.

"My perception was that Saudi Arabia would mediate in Yemen's domestic conflict like a father, or an elder brother, and make peace; not to get involved in the war and use bombs and guns against Muslims," President Ahmadinejad said on January 13.

/Press TV/