* Saudi Arabia’s visit to Tehran is confirmed, but the alleged $1 billion offer to Yemen’s Houthis remains unverified, with no publicly available independent evidence establishing that the payment was proposed or made.
A report by Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom claiming that Saudi Arabia offered Yemen’s Houthi movement $1 billion through Iran as part of a proposed ceasefire arrangement has not been independently substantiated by the evidence reviewed by Muslim News Nigeria.
Published on Monday, October 26, 2026, the report alleged that Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled to Tehran to discuss an arrangement involving the payment, reportedly aimed at halting Houthi attacks.
The newspaper, which is widely associated with right-wing Israeli politics and support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attributed the allegation to unnamed Gulf diplomatic sources.
It further reported that one source claimed cash was transported aboard a Hercules military aircraft.
However, the newspaper did not publicly identify its sources or provide documentary evidence establishing that the alleged payment had been proposed, approved or transferred. The report also acknowledged that a Saudi official did not confirm any transfer.
What Saudi Arabia officially said
Saudi Arabia confirmed the visit by the defence minister and the Saudi-led delegation to Tehran, describing the engagement in terms of regional de-escalation, dialogue and diplomatic efforts.
The official statement did not mention a $1 billion payment to the Houthis or confirm a financial arrangement involving Iran and the Yemeni movement.
Pro-Iranian supporters amplify the claim
The alleged deal has also been shared by some pro-Iranian supporters, with claims that Saudi Arabia had no choice but to accept the arrangement to avoid further Houthi attacks.
However, such assertions have not been supported by independently verified evidence establishing that Saudi Arabia made the alleged offer or agreed to the reported terms.
Some of those sharing the claim have relied on the original report by Israel Hayom rather than presenting independent sources or documentary evidence.
Other media reports have not independently confirmed the payment
Some media outlets subsequently repeated the $1 billion allegation, but attributed it to Israel Hayom or Israeli media reports rather than presenting independently obtained evidence.
Major international outlets, including Reuters, Al Jazeera and Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency, reported on the Saudi-led delegation’s visit to Tehran and regional security discussions. However, the reports reviewed did not independently substantiate the alleged payment.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency also reported on the planned visit without confirming the $1 billion claim.
Verdict: UNVERIFIED
The available evidence confirms the Saudi-led delegation’s visit to Tehran but does not establish that Saudi Arabia offered the Houthis $1 billion through Iran as part of a ceasefire arrangement.
The meeting also involved regional security discussions among representatives of the Makkah Alliance pact, which brings together Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan. The delegation’s engagement with Iranian officials focused on regional developments and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
The focus of their meeting was reported [HERE].
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