Pakistan has intensified pressure on Iran to rein in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, amid concerns in Islamabad that further escalation could force it to come to Riyadh’s defense under security agreements between the countries, according to a report published Thursday by the Financial Times.
2+According to the report, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has repeatedly urged senior Iranian officials to act to halt Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure. Munir visited Tehran last month, where he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, and has also held several phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Pakistani officials made clear during the discussions that if Saudi Arabia invokes the mutual-defense provisions of its security agreements, Pakistan could be required to assist the kingdom. Islamabad has publicly reiterated its commitment to implementing its defense agreements while declining to disclose how or under what circumstances military force might be employed. The officials stressed, however, that Munir did not issue Tehran an explicit military threat
2+A Pakistani official cited in the report said Iran maintains that the conflict is between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, while arguing that the escalation also serves Iranian regional policy. Tehran, for its part, continues to insist that the Houthis act independently.
Pakistan’s concerns have intensified following a series of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, including strikes targeting cities, military sites and critical energy infrastructure. Earlier this month, one major Houthi attack on Saudi targets wounded dozens of people, while escalating fighting has further threatened regional energy routes.
2+Islamabad’s intervention adds to mounting regional diplomatic pressure on Tehran over the Houthis. Saudi Arabia has also sought help from other regional and international partners as the attacks intensify, while Pakistan’s growing involvement underscores the risk that continued Houthi strikes could draw additional countries into the confrontation.