Pakistan Urges Iran to Restrain Houthi Allies Amid Rising Regional Tensions

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has conveyed a warning from Saudi Arabia to Iran, urging Tehran to use its influence over its Houthi allies to halt attacks against Saudi Arabia amid growing tensions in the region.

According to a report cited by Pakistani media, the message was delivered as Saudi Arabia faced recent attacks by the Houthi movement, raising concerns that the conflict could expand into a wider regional security crisis.

Pakistani officials emphasized that any military role by Pakistan would remain strictly limited to defending Saudi territory. Officials indicated that Pakistan has no intention of deploying forces to Yemen or participating in combat operations on foreign soil.

The developments are particularly significant in view of the defence relationship between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Saudi authorities in Riyadh reportedly held discussions with senior Pakistani and Turkish military representatives to coordinate their response to the deteriorating security situation.

According to the report, the three countries agreed that their forces would not enter Yemen and that any response would be confined to Saudi territory. Pakistani sources also stressed that no final decision had been taken regarding participation in any retaliatory action.

Under the defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia, Pakistani forces could provide military, technical, ground or air assistance inside Saudi territory if required. However, the arrangement does not envisage Pakistani participation in combat operations on foreign territory.

The immediate trigger for the diplomatic warning was a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Houthis reportedly targeted an air base in Khamis Mushait and oil facilities in nearby areas on Tuesday, with the attacks leaving 73 people injured.

The attacks have raised concerns in Islamabad and Riyadh that continued Houthi operations could transform an existing proxy confrontation into a broader regional security crisis. Pakistan’s message to Iran therefore appears aimed at using diplomatic channels to contain the escalation while avoiding direct military involvement beyond Saudi Arabia’s borders.

For Pakistan, the situation presents a delicate strategic challenge. Islamabad maintains close relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran and has traditionally sought to avoid becoming directly involved in conflicts between the two regional powers. Its emphasis on the defensive nature of its commitments to Saudi Arabia reflects an attempt to preserve that balance.

The latest developments also underline the wider risks posed by the expanding regional conflict. Any sustained attacks on Saudi territory could threaten energy infrastructure, regional stability and international energy markets, while direct military involvement by additional states could further widen the conflict.

Pakistan’s call for Iran to restrain the Houthis consequently represents both a diplomatic appeal and a signal of the limits of its defence commitments. Islamabad appears determined to support Saudi Arabia’s territorial security while avoiding involvement in offensive military operations beyond Saudi borders.