EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan warns Iran to rein in Houthis as Riyadh strikes back - Reuters

The Houthi movement launched an attack on a Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait and targeted oil infrastructure in nearby cities, resulting in 73 injuries. The strikes marked a significant escalation in the group’s operations against Saudi facilities.

In response, Saudi Arabia carried out retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions, aiming to neutralise the threat to its airbase and energy assets. The Saudi response was described as a direct counter‑measure to the earlier attacks.

Pakistan issued a diplomatic warning to Iran, urging Tehran to restrain its Houthi allies and prevent further attacks on Saudi territory. The Pakistani statement emphasized the need for Iran to exercise control over the group’s actions to avoid further destabilisation.

The warning carries particular weight because Pakistan maintains a defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, aligning its security interests with those of the kingdom. This alliance underscores Pakistan’s willingness to support Saudi security concerns in the region.

Analysts note that the exchange reflects broader regional tensions, with Iran’s influence over the Houthis and the involvement of allied states shaping the diplomatic landscape. Pakistan’s appeal to Iran adds another dimension to the ongoing efforts to de‑escalate hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.