Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have agreed to permit tugboats and rescue ships to reach the damaged Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York reports that the Houthis have agreed to a temporary truce.
According to the Iranian UN mission, “Several countries have requested a temporary truce to allow the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the affected area. In response to humanitarian and environmental concerns, Ansar Allah [the Houthis] has consented to this request.”
However, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters that there is no official temporary truce. He clarified that the agreement to allow the tanker to be towed was made solely in response to international pressure to prevent marine environmental damage.
