ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has warned Iran that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia would be treated as attacks on Pakistan. An official told Reuters this, calling the issue Islamabad’s “red line.”
The official, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership had delivered the message to Iran at the highest level. However, neither government has confirmed the claim in a public statement.
The warning followed missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia after the group accused Riyadh of bombing an airport under its control. This exchange ended a four-year pause in cross-border hostilities. According to the Reuters report, hostilities had paused for four years.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh on September 17, 2025. The official joint statement says aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both.
Two Pakistani officials told Reuters that Pakistani soldiers were deployed near Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen. This increases Islamabad’s exposure if hostilities expand.
Read: Iran Asks Houthis to Prepare Bab el-Mandeb Blockade
Pakistani officials also expressed concern that further escalation could disrupt Red Sea shipping. Moreover, it could complicate Islamabad’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, Reuters reported.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately condemned the Houthi missile attacks. It reaffirmed the country’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity.
