A Reuters report citing multiple officials says Pakistan warned Iran on Tuesday that Houthi strikes on Saudi territory could trigger the joint defense pact between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Islamabad's message to Tehran was: 'Rein in the Houthis, or risk turning a proxy conflict into a wider regional security crisis,' according to the report. An Iranian official confirmed the warning was delivered, but said Tehran responded that 'Iran does not control the Houthis.'
A detailed Reuters report published Wednesday, citing Pakistani, Iranian, regional diplomatic, and Saudi sources, reveals that Pakistan delivered a firm warning to Iran on Tuesday to curb Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that strikes on Saudi territory could activate the mutual defense pact between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, according to the report. Islamabad's message to Tehran was blunt: "Rein in the Houthis, or risk turning a proxy conflict into a wider regional security crisis."
An Iranian official confirmed the warning was delivered on Tuesday, with Tehran responding that "Iran does not control the Houthis." However, two Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran ordered the Houthis last week to carry out attacks against Saudi Arabia, promising additional funding and weapons. Several IRGC commanders reportedly traveled to Yemen to assist in coordinating the strikes.
A regional diplomat told Reuters that Islamabad is seeking to rein in the Houthis before escalation reaches a point where Riyadh would request Pakistan to play an active role in its defense. A Pakistani source said Saudi officials met in Riyadh with senior military officers from Pakistan and Turkey to coordinate a response. The three countries agreed their forces would not enter Yemen, and any response would be launched from Saudi territory.
The diplomat added: "The Iran and Houthi campaign could achieve the opposite result from what was intended in Tehran." The Zioneer has previously covered the Iran-Pakistan-Saudi-Houthi dynamic, including reports of Pakistan warning Iran over Red Sea attacks and of Pakistani forces on alert for possible engagement against the Houthis.
3 developments
- DevelopingPakistan tells Iran to pressure Houthis to stop Red Sea attacks
- DevelopingReuters: Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia risk dragging Pakistan into war with Iran
- StrongIranian parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf warns US against violating nuclear deal commitments
- DevelopingPakistan reportedly warns Iran: any attack on Saudi Arabia is an attack on Pakistan
Source and signal
- Open-source intake