Pakistan Joins China Pressing Iran to Stop Houthi Attacks

Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, has approached Iran requesting that Tehran attempt to restrain Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, the British Financial Times reported Friday.

According to the report, Munir referenced the defense agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in 2025, warning that Pakistan's military may be compelled to assist the Saudis if Riyadh activates the mutual defense clause in the security pact. However, the report noted that Munir did not issue an explicit threat against Iran should it fail to act against the Houthis.

A Pakistani source claimed that Iran responded by saying it is not involved in current events in Yemen. According to the source, "Iran says this is a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, but it appears the escalation also serves Iranian policy in the region."

The Pakistani approach follows a report yesterday that Saudi Arabia turned to China in an attempt to secure a ceasefire with the Houthis and halt the escalation in the Yemen war. According to the Reuters report, Beijing sent a confidential message to Iran following the Saudi appeal, calling on Tehran to "use your influence to restrain the Houthis."

Three Iranian sources said China did not convey explicit threats, nor did they hint at imposing sanctions or applying economic pressure against Tehran if it refused to comply, but called on Iran to help prevent the conflict from expanding to energy routes on which the Chinese economy depends. Nevertheless, China was said to have called "for restraint, dialogue, and the restoration of security to international shipping lanes." In response, Iran claimed that "stability and peace in the region depend on ending the war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran."