Pakistan has communicated to Iran that any Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia will be regarded as direct assaults on Pakistan itself, reflecting Islamabad’s heightened apprehensions following recent missile strikes on the Kingdom. A senior Pakistani official emphasized that the nation’s top civilian and military leadership conveyed this message to Iran at the highest level, labeling such attacks as Pakistan’s “red line.”
As a nuclear-armed state, Pakistan played a key role in brokering an interim agreement last month between Washington and Tehran. Additionally, Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia last year, under which both countries pledged to treat aggression against either as an attack on both parties.
The Houthis launched missile strikes on Saudi Arabia after accusing the Kingdom of bombing an airport under their control earlier this week. This cross-border attack broke a four-year truce but has so far remained isolated to a single incident. Pakistani officials, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public commentary, noted that Islamabad had not anticipated such a sudden escalation in tensions.
Pakistani troops are currently stationed near the Saudi border with Yemen, increasing their exposure to potential conflict, two officials. There are also growing concerns that a Houthi-led escalation could disrupt maritime traffic through the Red Sea, a vital trade corridor for Pakistan and many other nations.
One security analyst observed that Pakistan’s leadership is still attempting to balance relations among all involved parties but warned this stance could shift if the Houthis broaden their attacks within Saudi territory.
When Pakistan and Saudi Arabia announced their defense agreement last September, it was widely interpreted as a sign of Gulf states’ diminishing confidence in the United States as a security guarantor, prompting them to seek alternative partners like Pakistan. However, Pakistan remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern countries for its oil and gas supplies.
Recent tensions near the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted Pakistan’s energy supply routes, forcing the government to implement emergency measures such as early business closures to avoid fuel shortages. Analysts suggest that Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the US and Iran aim not only to ease diplomatic tensions but also to restore these critical supply lines.
Despite frustrations, Pakistani officials remain committed to maintaining the mediation process, recognizing the significant investment and strategic interest involved. Yet, this week has brought Pakistan closer than ever to a potential choice of sides in the conflict.
Another Pakistani source involved in the mediation stressed that while ending the war is in everyone’s best interest, Pakistan would unequivocally support Saudi Arabia if called upon, reaffirming the strength of their alliance.
