Iran says Houthis agree to truce so boats can reach damaged oil tanker

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Flames and smoke rise from the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, which has been on fire since August 23, on the Red Sea, August 25, 2024. Yemen's Houthis said they attacked the Sounion in the Red Sea.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group has agreed to a temporary truce to allow tugboats and rescue ships to reach the damaged Greek-flagged crude oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea, Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York said on Wednesday.

"Several countries have reached out to ask Ansarullah (the Houthis), requesting a temporary truce for the entry of tugboats and rescue ships into the incident area," Iran's U.N. mission said. "In consideration of humanitarian and environmental concerns, Ansarullah has consented to this request."

Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Katharine Jackson