Pakistan Reportedly Tells Iran Saudi Arabia Is a ‘Red Line,’ Says Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reportedly conveyed to Iran that Saudi Arabia is a “red line” for Islamabad and that any attack on the Kingdom would be regarded as an attack on Pakistan, according to a report by Reuters.

The report said concerns in Pakistan intensified after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement launched missile attacks on Saudi Arabia earlier this week, claiming the strikes were in response to alleged Saudi airstrikes on an airport under Houthi control.

According to Reuters, the escalating tensions have raised fears in Islamabad that Pakistan could be drawn into the broader regional conflict. The situation could also complicate any future role Pakistan may seek to play as a mediator between the United States and Iran.

Quoting a Pakistani official, Reuters reported that Pakistan’s top political and military leadership had informed Iranian authorities “at the highest level” that Saudi Arabia is Pakistan’s red line and that any attack on the Kingdom would be considered an attack on Pakistan.

The report noted that Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last year. It also said that thousands of Pakistani military personnel and a contingent of fighter aircraft are currently stationed in the Kingdom under bilateral defence cooperation.

Reuters further reported that Pakistan had previously expressed concern over attacks targeting Saudi Arabia earlier this year. However, regional analysts and officials believe the latest Houthi strikes have heightened Islamabad’s concerns, as they could trigger a new round of conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

The reported remarks attributed to Pakistani officials have not been independently verified by Reuters beyond the cited sources, and no official public statement was included in the report.