Pakistan warns Iran to stop Houthi rebels' attacks on Saudi Arabia

Pakistan conveyed to Iran, within the past 24 hours, a warning from Saudi Arabia, asking it to use its influence over its Houthi allies in Yemen to stop the attacks on the kingdom. The message comes after the group struck an air base in Khamis Mushait and nearby oil infrastructure on Tuesday, injuring 73 people.

Houthi rebels claim that Saudi aviation carried out 54 attacks in Yemen over the past 12 hours and have threatened retaliation. The escalation risks opening a second front in the regional conflict and affecting global energy supplies.

An Iranian official confirmed receipt of the message but stated that Tehran does not control the group. However, two Iranian sources claim that Iran recently asked terrorists in Yemen to attack Saudi Arabia and provided them with funding and weapons.

Riyadh is coordinating its response with Pakistan and Turkey. The three states reportedly agreed that their troops would not enter Yemen and that any operations would be launched from Saudi territory. Pakistan insists that its military agreement with Saudi Arabia is defensive but warns that an expansion of the attacks could activate the joint security pact.

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