NEW DELHI — An Iranian official, part of a delegation in New Delhi, has vowed to mediate with the Houthi movement regarding the case of Indian nurse Nimesha Priya, who has been sentenced to death by the group, classified internationally as a terrorist organization.

According to the Indian newspaper The Hindu, the Iranian official confirmed that Iran would take a keen interest in the case of Priya, who was tried in Sana'a, a city under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis. During a meeting with representatives from various media organizations at the Iranian embassy in New Delhi, he stated, “We will address this issue regarding the nurse and will do everything we can.”

The report noted that official sources within India’s Ministry of External Affairs had previously described the case as complex, highlighting that India does not have formal relations with the Houthi rebels. It was acknowledged that Iranian support could be pivotal in this matter.

Additionally, the report indicated that Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthis' so-called “Supreme Political Council,” approved the death sentence for Nimesha Priya last Monday, with expectations that the sentence could be carried out within a month.

The Iranian official acknowledged the seriousness of the case, referring to it as involving "involuntary manslaughter," as Priya was convicted of killing her business partner, Talal Abdu Mahdi, in 2017.

Previously, Randeep Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated that Priya's family is currently exploring relevant options, suggesting that a financial settlement might be a viable route, as it is a common method for resolving criminal cases in Yemen.

The case dates back nearly a decade when Priya partnered with Yemeni national Talal Abdu Mahdi to establish a clinic. However, their partnership soured after Mahdi seized Priya's Indian passport. In 2017, Priya attempted to retrieve her passport by drugging Mahdi, leading to his death. With assistance from a colleague, Priya subsequently dismembered Mahdi's body and was sentenced to death in 2018, a ruling that was upheld in 2023.