Iran optimistic about imminent halt in Saudi strikes on Yemen

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian voiced optimism that the Saudi-led military strikes against Yemen would stop in coming hours, FARS news agency reported.

"Following the efforts made, we are optimistic that the military strikes against Yemen come to a halt in coming hours," Amir Abdollahian said on Tuesday.

"We are optimistic that we will witness different Yemeni groups gather around the negotiating table in the next few hours and endeavor to strengthen the political process in the country," he added.

His remarks came after Iran sent a 4-step Yemen peace initiative to the UN chief last week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, and demanded the adoption of the necessary moves by the world body to put an immediate end to the bloodshed, describing the conditions on the ground in Yemen as "alarming".