{
  "id": 6738980,
  "title": "Pakistan and Iran discuss de-escalation and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/pakistan-and-iran-discuss-de-escalation-and-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-6738980",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T09:11:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/11/pakistan-and-iran-discuss-de-escalation-and-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir have met to discuss de-escalating tensions in the region, including the potential resumption of US-Iran negotiations. The talks centered on the ongoing war between the US and Iran, the possibility of returning to negotiations, and recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to sources cited by Reuters. These discussions occurred following Pakistan's warning to Iran to curb the Iran-backed Houthis as the latter intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia. Pakistan shares a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which considers an attack on one as an attack on all three nations. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Islamabad is seeking a diplomatic resolution, but emphasized that \"unprovoked aggression or spillover ... into Saudi Arabia will definitely make this agreement operational.\" Pakistan's Foreign Ministry condemned the \"reprehensible\" Houthi attacks and reaffirmed its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security. An Iranian official confirmed that Pakistan had relayed Saudi Arabia's message, but Iran denied controlling the Houthis. Tehran reportedly instructed the Houthis to target Saudi Arabia last week and promised them additional funding and weapons. The latest talks also come as Pakistan pushes the US and Iran to resume negotiations following the breakdown of an MoU brokered by Pakistan and Qatar earlier this year. The lack of trust and willingness to implement the MoU is cited as reasons for its failure, according to Pakistan's UN ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. Several Gulf foreign ministers are reportedly planning to meet Araghchi in Salalah, Oman, on Monday. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its navy intercepted a US \"Saildrone-type\" unmanned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging it thwarted the vessel's \"aggressive mission.\" The United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations center reported receiving a report of projectiles striking two vessels off the coast of Oman. These incidents occur amid heightened tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on shipping and military activity have escalated in recent days. Reports indicate that Iran may have resumed ballistic missile production, assembling them in underground facilities across the country. US and Middle East officials confirmed Iran has been assembling liquid-propelled and solid-propellant missiles using stockpiled parts and stockpiled components.",
  "summary": "Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan ’s army chief Asim Munir have discussed ways to revive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflicts across the region, including a possible return to US-Iran negotiations. Their talks focused on the US-Iran war , prospects for returning to negotiations and recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, sources told Reuters. The discussions came days…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Iran-backed Houthi rebels seize strategic Red Sea port in Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-backed-houthi-rebels-seize-strategic-red-sea-port-in-yemen",
        "published": "2026-09-11T05:40:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Iran seeks end to Saudi blockade of Yemen after Tehran-backed rebels take key port",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-seeks-end-to-saudi-blockade-of-yemen-after-tehran-backed-rebels",
        "published": "2026-09-11T07:29:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran, Saudi Arabia discuss regional ‘insecurity’ as Yemen fighting flares",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-saudi-arabia-discuss-regional-insecurity-as-yemen-fighting-flares",
        "published": "2026-09-11T08:43:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Iran, Saudi Arabia discuss regional 'insecurity' as Yemen fighting flares",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-saudi-arabia-discuss-regional-insecurity-as-yemen-fighting-flares-6733177",
        "published": "2026-09-11T08:48:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Iran war latest: Houthis seize Yemen's entire western coast and strategic Red Sea islands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-war-latest-houthis-seize-yemens-entire-western-coast-and",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:00:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Iran, Pakistan discuss Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, possible return to talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/iran-pakistan-discuss-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia-possible-return",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:03:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Pakistan says no plans for military action in Yemen after attacks on Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/pakistan-says-no-plans-for-military-action-in-yemen-after-attacks-on",
        "published": "2026-09-11T09:42:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}