Iran leader calls for cease-fire, urgent aid

US openly accuses Teheran of supporting the rebels; at least 643 civilians killed in the war

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Thursday for a cease-fire in the conflict in Yemen between forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and Shiite rebels.

Rouhani, who made his remarks in a speech marking Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day, also stressed the need for urgent humanitarian aid in a war that has killed at least 643 civilians and wounded another 2,226.