Pakistan has formally communicated to Iranian leadership that any aggression against Saudi Arabia constitutes a direct threat to Pakistani security, a foreign media outlet has reported. The warning follows recent missile attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces on Saudi infrastructure, which have significantly heightened tensions and strained the delicate balancing act maintained by Islamabad as a regional mediator.
The frustration in Islamabad stems from the increasing likelihood of being drawn into an active conflict. Under the Strategic Defence Mutual Agreement (SDMA) signed last year, thousands of Pakistani soldiers are deployed in Saudi Arabia, with many stationed near the volatile border with Yemen.
A Pakistani official confirmed to the news outlet the gravity of the situation, stating: “Our top civil and military leaders have conveyed to Iran at the highest level that the attacks on Saudi Arabia are attacks on Pakistan. It is our red line.”
The cross-border fire, which pierced a four-year truce between the Yemen-based Houthis and Saudi Arabia, has alarmed Pakistani policymakers who fear that a wider war could disrupt critical Red Sea shipping routes.
Security analysts observe that while Islamabad remains committed to the role of brokering deals between Washington and Tehran, the room for diplomacy is shrinking. Muhammad Amir Rana, a security analyst, noted: “Pakistan wasn’t anticipating that the tensions will rise so suddenly.”
Concerns are further compounded by perceived divisions within the Iranian government, where officials in Islamabad believe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is increasingly dominating the decision-making process. The volatility recently caused the delay of an Iranian delegation’s visit to Pakistan, reflecting the cooling atmosphere, the report stated.
Despite mounting pressure, Islamabad continues to push for stability. During a briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi stated: “Pakistan calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and there is no alternative to sustained engagement, dialogue, and diplomacy.”
However, the reality of the defense pact remains a non-negotiable commitment for the state. One source familiar with the mediation efforts emphasized: “It’s in everyone’s best interest for the war to end. But if Saudi calls us in, we will stand by them and there is no doubt about that.”
