Regional pressure expands: Pakistan turns to Iran against the Houthis

Pakistan's army chief pressured senior Iranian officials to act to curb Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, amid fears in Islamabad that further escalation would force it to assist Riyadh under defense agreements. The appeal joins growing regional pressure on Tehran, after Saudi Arabia also turned to China for help in restraining the Houthis.

Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, repeatedly pressured senior Iranian officials to act to stop Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure. The appeal comes amid growing concern in Islamabad that further escalation could force Pakistan to stand alongside Riyadh under the defense agreements between the two countries. Munir visited Tehran last month and met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and also held several phone calls with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the most recent on Thursday. Pakistani sources made clear that if Saudi Arabia invokes the mutual defense clause, Pakistan may be required to assist it, but Munir did not present an explicit threat. A Pakistani source was quoted as saying that Iran claims the conflict is between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but according to him, the escalation also serves Iranian policy in the region. In Tehran, they continue to claim that the Houthis act independently. The Pakistani appeal joins growing regional pressure on Tehran, after Saudi Arabia also turned to China for help in restraining the organization.