Pakistan has issued a warning to Iran amid escalating attacks by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabian oil facilities, according to sources in Islamabad. The Houthis, a Yemen-based rebel group, have launched ballistic missile strikes targeting the southern region of Saudi Arabia, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by the Saudi military. The recent escalation is seen as potentially opening a new front in the broader Middle East conflict, which already involves tensions between the United States and Iran, especially around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan, a nuclear-armed South Asian country, maintains multiple defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, a fellow Sunni-majority state. Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia entered a bilateral defense pact, and earlier this year, Pakistan became part of a trilateral defense arrangement including Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. Under this trilateral agreement, an attack on any one of the signatories is to be treated as an attack on all three.

Following the recent Houthi attacks, Pakistani officials communicated a warning to Iran, urging Tehran to exert control over the rebel group. One source noted that Pakistan aims to avoid direct military involvement in the ongoing conflict but emphasized the necessity of defensive measures should hostilities continue to escalate.

Pakistan has deployed air force units, including fighter jets and ground troops, to Saudi Arabia as part of its obligations under the bilateral agreement. While Pakistani forces are not expected to participate directly in Saudi air operations against the Houthis in Yemen, they remain prepared to activate their air defense systems in response to further missile attacks. A source highlighted the binding nature of the defense pact, stating Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the kingdom on its soil.

The activities of the Houthis in the Red Sea were also reportedly discussed during a recent visit by Pakistan’s military chief, General Asim Munir, to Tehran. Pakistan has played a mediating role in ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran since March of this year, positioning itself as a key actor in the diplomatic landscape of the region.

As the situation continues to evolve, Pakistan’s warning underscores the delicate balance the country seeks to maintain between its strategic alliances and regional stability.