ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reportedly informed Iran that any attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia would be regarded as attacks on Pakistan itself, according to a Reuters report citing senior Pakistani officials familiar with the matter.
One official quoted by Reuters said Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership had conveyed the message to Iranian authorities at the highest level.
“Our top civil and military leaders have conveyed to Iran at the highest level that the attacks on Saudi Arabia are attacks on Pakistan. It is our red line,” the official was quoted as saying.
The officials spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.
Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia
The report notes that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement last year under which both countries committed to treating aggression against either state as an attack on both.
The reported warning comes after Houthi forces launched missile attacks towards Saudi Arabia earlier this week, accusing the Kingdom of being responsible for an attack on an airport under Houthi control.
Although the exchange of fire has broken a four-year period of relative calm between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, the confrontation has so far remained limited.
Pakistan Continues Mediation Efforts
Pakistan has recently played a diplomatic role in efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran, helping facilitate the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last month.
According to Reuters, Pakistani officials said that despite growing frustration over recent developments, Islamabad remains committed to continuing its mediation efforts.
One official told the news agency that Pakistan has invested considerable diplomatic effort in the peace process and has a strong interest in keeping negotiations alive.
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Security Concerns Growing in Islamabad
According to analysts quoted by Reuters, the latest Houthi missile attacks have heightened concerns within Pakistan’s security establishment.
One analyst said Islamabad had not expected regional tensions to escalate so rapidly, while another noted that Pakistan’s leadership is still attempting to maintain balanced relations with all parties involved.
However, the analyst cautioned that Pakistan’s position could become more difficult if Houthi attacks inside Saudi Arabia expand further.
Pakistani Troops Reportedly Near Saudi-Yemen Border
Reuters also reported, citing two Pakistani officials, that Pakistani military personnel are deployed near the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border, increasing Pakistan’s direct exposure to any further escalation in the conflict.
The report did not provide additional details regarding the nature or scale of the deployment.
Threat to Trade and Energy Supplies
Officials and analysts interviewed by Reuters said Pakistan is also concerned about the impact of continued instability on international trade routes.
Any escalation affecting the Red Sea or the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global shipping and energy supplies, posing economic challenges for countries that depend on imported oil and gas.
Pakistan imports a significant portion of its energy requirements from the Middle East, making uninterrupted maritime trade routes strategically important.
Reuters noted that previous tensions around the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted Pakistan’s fuel supply chain, prompting the government to introduce emergency measures, including reduced business hours, to conserve fuel.
Analysts Say Pakistan Seeking Balanced Approach
Despite the reported warning regarding Saudi Arabia, analysts believe Islamabad continues to prioritise diplomacy and regional stability.
According to Reuters, Pakistani officials said the country’s mediation efforts are intended not only to reduce regional tensions but also to safeguard vital economic interests linked to trade and energy security.
One source familiar with the mediation process told Reuters that ending the conflict remains in everyone’s interest but added that Pakistan would honour its commitments to Saudi Arabia if required.
No Official Public Confirmation
As of the publication of the Reuters report, Pakistan’s government had not publicly confirmed the reported message conveyed to Iran.
The claims are based on information provided by unnamed officials speaking to Reuters, and no official statement from the Foreign Office or the Prime Minister’s Office had been issued regarding the reported communication.
