Pakistan Warns Iran Over Houthis as Saudi Strikes Back
· deals
Pakistan Warns Iran to Rein In Houthis as Riyadh Strikes Back
The recent attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have set off alarm bells across the region, prompting Islamabad to issue a stern warning to Tehran: rein in your allies or risk igniting a broader regional security crisis.
Pakistan has long walked a tightrope between its defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey and its relationship with Iran. However, as the conflict in Yemen intensifies, Islamabad appears to have shifted its stance firmly behind Riyadh. This is not surprising, given that Houthi attacks on Saudi territory have put regional security arrangements to the test and threaten Pakistan’s own interests.
The Houthis’ brazen assault on Khamis Mushait airbase and oil infrastructure in nearby cities has sparked a coordinated response from Saudi Arabia, with 54 airstrikes across Yemen in just 12 hours. The Houthi military spokesman’s vow to “not go unanswered” is a stark reminder that this proxy war shows no signs of abating – and may be on the cusp of escalating into a wider regional conflict.
Pakistan’s warning to Iran carries significant weight, given its defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has made it clear that unprovoked aggression or spillover into Saudi territory will trigger a joint security arrangement involving Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad. This is more than just rhetoric: Pakistan’s military, foreign ministry, and defense ministry have all signaled their commitment to defending Saudi Arabia.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. For one, it underscores the seriousness with which Islamabad views the Houthi attacks. The message to Tehran is clear: rein in your allies or risk turning a proxy conflict into a broader regional security crisis. But what does this mean for Iran itself? Will Tehran continue to provide funding and military support to the Houthis, or will it seek to distance itself from the escalating conflict?
The answer lies in part with the United States, which has imposed its own blockade on Iranian ports. The pressure campaign waged by Iran and the Houthis is seen by some as a bid to pressure Washington into lifting the blockade – but this may be a miscalculation. By targeting Gulf security, Tehran risks driving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and other U.S.-aligned states into closer security coordination rather than fracturing their ties.
Regional officials believe President Donald Trump appears committed to maintaining the U.S. blockade until Iran reaches an agreement with Washington. This may not be a bad thing for Riyadh – which is focused on containing the Houthi threat rather than confronting Iran directly. Nor do Saudi officials believe Houthi attacks will achieve Tehran’s broader objective of ending the U.S. blockade.
The question now is what happens next? Will Pakistan join retaliatory strikes against the Houthis, or will it stick to its defensive pact with Riyadh? Will Iran continue to provide support to the Houthis, or will it seek a diplomatic solution? And what does this mean for the broader regional balance of power?
One thing is certain: the stakes in the Gulf have just gotten higher. The proxy war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has set off a chain reaction that threatens to upend the delicate balance of power in the region – and Pakistan’s intervention has raised the ante. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that this is far from over.
Reader Views
- TCThe Cart Desk · editorial
The real test of Islamabad's defense pact with Saudi Arabia is yet to come: will they back up words with action when it comes to defending shared interests? Pakistan's military has a long history of strategic alliances, but its involvement in this conflict would be unprecedented. The country's economic and security concerns are being played out on the battlefield, making it a wild card in the region's delicate balance of power. One thing is certain: if Islamabad joins forces with Riyadh, Tehran will have to reassess its priorities - and that could spark a major regional shakeup.
- SBSam B. · deal hunter
Pakistan's decision to take sides in this proxy war is long overdue. For too long, Islamabad has been caught between its economic dependence on Iran and its security pact with Saudi Arabia. But the Houthi attacks have made it clear that this is a zero-sum game: someone's regional ambitions will be stymied unless they're willing to back down. The question now is whether Tehran is willing to take the necessary steps to rein in its allies, or risk being ostracized by Islamabad and other key players in the region.
- PRPat R. · frugal living writer
The escalating conflict in Yemen highlights the precarious balance of power in the Middle East, but one crucial aspect is often overlooked: the economic toll on ordinary citizens. While Pakistan's warning to Iran serves as a clear message to Tehran, we must not lose sight of the human cost of war. With Saudi Arabia's airstrikes and Houthi retaliation, civilians are caught in the crossfire, their livelihoods disrupted by the proxy conflict. As Islamabad takes sides with Riyadh, it's essential to consider the long-term economic implications for Pakistan itself, particularly its fragile economy, which has already suffered from declining oil prices and a struggling currency.