Yemen op not a proxy war between Kingdom and Iran

Operation Decisive Storm is for the protection of the Yemeni people and defense of their legitimate government and not a proxy war between the Kingdom and Iran, said Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi ambassador to the US.
“This campaign is against a group supported by Iran and Hezbollah,” he said during a Meet the Press program on NBC News of America channel.
Al-Jubeir rejected claims that the operation was a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Asked about the possibility about Saudi Arabia and Iran coexisting in the Middle East, he said the Kingdom has faced many aggressions from the Iranian side, while there has been no aggression from the Kingdom against Iran.
“We have extended the hand of friendship to the Iranians, but they have rejected it for the past 35 years; we want friendly relations with them because it will be good for the region. But what is happening is the result of Iranian actions, and not that of the Kingdom,” the ambassador said.
Responding to a question on negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, he said, “We are waiting to see the outcome of the negotiations before we assess the deal.”
Earlier, in a Face the Nation program on the US CBS News, Al-Jubeir insisted that the aim of the military campaign was to defend the legitimate government in Yemen, and open the way for political talks.
He said Saudi Arabia tried its best to avoid the war and was forced to resort to military action after all efforts failed.
Al-Jubeir said even Yemenis tried every possible way to avoid war by offering avenues for a peaceful agreement, but the Houthi terrorists continued with their campaign to control the cities of Yemen.
“When the Houthis were on the verge of taking control of Aden, the legitimate government’s call to intervene under Article 51 of the UN had to be heeded.”
Asked about using ground forces in Yemen, Al-Jubeir said, “We have a coalition of more than 10 countries and so far the goal is being achieved through the air campaign.”