Pakistan asks Iran to help ease Saudi-Houthi tensions

September 20, 2026 at 04:47 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir has repeatedly asked Iran to help stop Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure. Islamabad has warned Tehran that Pakistan may be forced to defend the kingdom under a mutual defense pact. The request comes as China has also informally asked Iran to use its influence with the Houthis.

Key Facts

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir has repeatedly called on Iran to help stop Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure.
Islamabad has told Tehran that Pakistan may be forced to defend Saudi Arabia under a mutual defense pact.
China has also informally asked Iran to use its influence with the Houthis in Yemen.
Pakistan refused to join the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen in 2015.

Pakistan's Diplomatic Push

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir has repeatedly asked Iran to help stop Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure. The request is based on a mutual defense treaty between Islamabad and Riyadh. Pakistani officials have informed Tehran that if the kingdom invokes the mutual defense clause, Pakistan may be forced to defend Saudi Arabia. A source familiar with the talks said Iran claims the conflict is between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and therefore concerns the Islamic Republic's regional policy.

China's Parallel Efforts

China has also informally asked Iran to use its influence with the Houthis in Yemen. Beijing made the request after Riyadh appealed to China for help. Reuters reported that China is trying to prevent the conflict from spreading along energy routes. Riyadh turned to China after Houthi rebels advanced rapidly along the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Pakistan's Military Constraints

Pakistan refused to join the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen in 2015. The Financial Times reported that Islamabad is in a difficult position after deploying fighter jets and pilots to an airbase in eastern Saudi Arabia in April. Under the new agreement, obligations and serious financial weakness mean it will be difficult to resist Riyadh again. A source concluded that if Saudi Arabia makes such a request, Pakistan could participate in an air campaign to defend the country from drones and attack devices in Yemen.