Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan has reportedly warned Iran to use its influence to rein in Yemen’s Houthi movement after a series of Houthi attacks targeted areas of Saudi Arabia, including military and energy infrastructure, according to Saudi, Pakistani and Iranian sources cited by Reuters.
The warning comes amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Saudi Arabia had carried out 54 airstrikes across several Yemeni provinces over a 12-hour period, warning that the attacks would “not go unanswered and unpunished.”
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A senior regional diplomat told Reuters that Pakistan conveyed its message to Tehran over the past 24 hours, urging Iran to help halt the Houthi attacks. A senior Iranian official confirmed that Pakistan had delivered the message but maintained that “Iran does not control the Houthis.”
However, two Iranian sources cited by Reuters alleged that Tehran had instructed the Houthis to intensify attacks on Saudi Arabia and had promised additional funding and weapons. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The situation has also raised concerns over the possible involvement of Pakistan under its recently signed defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
According to a Pakistani source cited by Reuters, Saudi officials held discussions with senior Pakistani and Turkish military representatives in Riyadh over a potential response. The source said the three countries agreed that their troops would not enter Yemen and that any retaliation would be launched from Saudi territory.
A second Pakistani source said Islamabad had not yet decided to participate in retaliatory strikes, stressing that its defence arrangement with Riyadh is focused on protecting Saudi territory.
Meanwhile, EFE reported that Pakistan is considering the possibility of conducting airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen from Saudi territory, citing a senior Pakistani security official who spoke anonymously. The official said no decision had been taken on whether such a move would be publicly acknowledged.
Houthi attacks have reportedly targeted Saudi regions including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, with civilian and energy facilities among the sites affected. More than 70 people were reportedly injured.
Pakistan has more than 10,000 troops stationed in Saudi Arabia, according to security sources previously cited by EFE, although it remains unclear whether Pakistani fighter aircraft are currently deployed in the kingdom.
The developments come after Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, establishing a framework for collective defence. The agreement states that aggression against one member would be treated as aggression against all.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the pact could become operational if the conflict in Yemen spills over into Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Geo TV, Asif said there was “no ambiguity” over the agreement, stressing that unprovoked aggression or a spillover of the Yemen conflict into Saudi Arabia could activate the joint defence arrangement.
With tensions rising, Pakistan has so far emphasized diplomacy while warning that continued attacks could push Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey toward closer security coordination.
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