Saudi Gazette reports

WASHINGTON — The United States has reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia to defend itself in face of threats posed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

In a press conference on Thursday, spokesman for the US Department of Defense John Kirby called on the Houthi militia to stop its attacks and work toward achieving a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.

Regarding the Iranian threats, he said that the US administration realizes that Iran continues to pose a threat to its neighbors as well as US national security interests in the region.

He added that the Iranian ballistic missile program still exists, stressing that Tehran's continued support for terrorist groups in the region is a problem and it threatens US interests and the interests of its allies in the region.