Pakistan warns Iran to rein in Houthis as Riyadh strikes back

Pakistan has warned Iran to control the Houthis in Yemen following a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to Saudi, Pakistani and Iranian sources. The Houthi group carried out one of the largest assaults on Saudi Arabia since the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February, targeting an airbase and oil infrastructure in nearby cities, resulting in 73 injuries.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree threatened retaliation, stating that Saudi airstrikes would not go unanswered. This conflict marks a new front in the global energy supply crisis, as Iran and the United States engage in their most significant round of tit-for-tat attacks since the war started.

Pakistan's warning carries considerable weight due to its defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that any aggression against one country, including Saudi Arabia, would be considered an aggression against all three nations. Pakistan has stressed that any military action would be limited to defending Saudi territory. The Pakistani defense ministry, foreign ministry, and military have not commented on the matter.

The escalation of proxy warfare between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Yemen has raised concerns of a wider regional crisis. Pakistan's intervention highlights the seriousness of the Houthi attacks and urges Iran to restrain its allies. An Iranian official confirmed that Pakistan communicated with Tehran about the situation, but Tehran denied controlling the Houthis. Tehran promised additional funding and weapons to the Houthis while sending commanders to Yemen to coordinate the attacks.

Pakistan hopes the situation will not escalate to the point where it must intervene militarily, but it is open to a diplomatic solution. The pressure campaign by Iran and the Houthis may have the opposite effect, driving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and other US-aligned states closer together in their security coordination. President Donald Trump appears committed to maintaining the US blockade of Iran until an agreement is reached, despite Saudi Arabia's military response focused on the Houthis and not Iran itself.