'Iran doesn’t control Houthis,' Pakistan warns Iran to rein in Houthis as strikes on Saudi Arabia escalate - report
Saudi, Pakistani, and Iranian sources tell Reuters that Islamabad delivered a warning to Tehran after Houthi attacks wounded 73 people at a Saudi airbase and oil infrastructure
Pakistan reportedly delivered a Saudi warning to Iran to rein in its Houthi allies after the group struck an airbase in Khamis Mushait and nearby oil infrastructure Tuesday. This is according to Saudi, Pakistani, and Iranian sources cited by Reuters.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Wednesday that Saudi warplanes had carried out 54 airstrikes across Yemeni provinces over the prior 12 hours, warning the strikes would "not go unanswered and unpunished." The escalation marks a second front threatening global energy supplies as Iran and the US continue their largest declared wave of tit-for-tat attacks.
A senior regional diplomat said Pakistan conveyed its warning to Tehran over the past 24 hours, urging Iran to use its influence to stop the Houthi attacks.
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A senior Iranian official confirmed Pakistan delivered the message Tuesday, but said Tehran responded that "Iran does not control the Houthis." However, two Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran had in fact instructed the Houthis last week to escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia, promising additional funding and weapons, while several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders traveled to Yemen to help coordinate the strikes.
A Pakistani source said Saudi officials met with senior Pakistani and Turkish military representatives in Riyadh to coordinate a response, agreeing that none of the three countries' troops would enter Yemen and that any retaliation would be launched from Saudi territory. A second Pakistani source said no decision had been made to join retaliatory strikes, stressing the pact with Riyadh is defensive and limited to protecting Saudi territory.
A regional diplomat said Pakistan hopes to resolve the situation diplomatically, warning that Iran's pressure campaign could backfire by pushing Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey into closer security coordination.
Regional officials see no sign Washington will ease its blockade on Iran, with President Trump seen as committed to maintaining pressure until Tehran reaches an agreement, even as Qatar quietly explores new proposals to restart negotiations. A regional source said Saudi Arabia's military response will remain focused on the Houthis rather than Iran directly, adding, "Trump does not want a military solution. He wants to squeeze them through the blockade."