The Saudis welcomed a presidential statement issued by the UN Security Council yesterday condemning the Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and other infrastructure.

In a statement released on Friday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the council’s condemnation of the ongoing and escalating attacks carried out by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, including strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, airports and energy facilities, reported Al Arabiya. The ministry also highlighted the Houthis’ continued threats to maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The Security Council “condemned in the strongest terms continued and escalatory Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” as well as “continued Houthi attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb (Strait).” The statement also “affirmed the inherent right of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of self-defense in accordance with international law.”

The Saudis meanwhile are blaming Iran for the Houthi escalation. “We think the escalation by the Houthis at this later stage of the conflict is encouraged by Iran,” Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said. Krimly claimed Tehran “continues to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in violation of its commitments in the Beijing agreement.”