Why Pakistan is talking to Iran as the Houthi-Saudi fight escalates

What the report says

Pakistan is trying to keep open lines to both Iran and Saudi Arabia as the Houthi-Saudi conflict widens, according to Al Jazeera. The article says Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, held separate phone calls on Thursday night with Pakistan’s defence chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, after a week of major fighting in Yemen and Saudi territory.

Al Jazeera reported that the escalation included Houthi drone and missile attacks that wounded dozens in Saudi Arabia, followed by battlefield gains by Houthi fighters along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The reporting also said the pressure on Pakistan is growing because of its defence ties with Saudi Arabia and its parallel interest in maintaining diplomatic channels with Tehran, which has influence over the Houthis. Pakistani officials did not confirm claims that Islamabad had relayed Saudi warnings to Iran or been asked to strike Houthi targets, and they instead emphasized dialogue and de-escalation.

The article places this in a broader pattern of Pakistan acting as a regional intermediary. It notes that Pakistan has previously tried to stay neutral in Yemen while preserving its role in diplomacy, including rejecting a Saudi troop request in 2015. It also says Munir has traveled to Tehran several times this year, underscoring the importance of behind-the-scenes contact as the conflict raises concerns about regional security and key shipping routes.