Iran Agrees to Engage Houthis After Pakistan Raises Saudi Attacks: Asif
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: Pakistan raised concerns with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the destabilising activities of non-state actors in the region, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said, adding that Iranian leaders indicated they would engage the Yemeni group over the issue.
In an interview with Express News, Asif said discussions had taken place with Iran concerning recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Pakistan specifically raised the issue of non-state actors operating across the region and argued that their activities were undermining diplomatic efforts to restore peace.
According to Asif, Pezeshkian responded positively to Pakistan’s concerns and agreed that continued regional instability would ultimately harm people across the Middle East.
The defence minister said Iranian officials had indicated they would talk to the Houthis, although he cautioned that any practical progress would depend on what steps follow the diplomatic discussions.
Pakistan Raises Non-State Actors With Iran
Asif said Pakistan made clear during its engagement with Pezeshkian that armed non-state groups should not be allowed to carry out actions from within countries that could undermine regional peace.
Islamabad’s position, according to the minister, is that such groups need to be rendered ineffective because their operations are damaging attempts to reduce tensions.
The statement represents Asif’s account of Pakistan’s discussions with Iranian officials. No detailed Iranian readout independently confirming a specific commitment to restrain the Houthis was identified in the reporting reviewed.
For that reason, the development is most accurately reported as Iran indicating to Pakistani officials that it would engage the Houthis, rather than as confirmation that Tehran has secured a change in Houthi policy.
Houthi Attacks Raised Regional Tensions
The diplomatic intervention follows a series of Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia that significantly heightened tensions across the region.
Reuters reported on September 9 that Pakistan had conveyed a Saudi warning to Iran after Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensified. Saudi, Pakistani and Iranian sources told Reuters that the initiative was part of a coordinated effort to prevent the crisis from escalating further.
The Houthis had attacked an airbase at Khamis Mushait and oil infrastructure in nearby Saudi cities, leaving 73 people wounded, according to Reuters.
Those attacks raised concerns that fighting linked to the wider regional conflict could spill further into Saudi territory.
Makkah Defence Alliance Could Come Into Play
The issue also carries significance for the Makkah Defence Alliance involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Asif told The Express Tribune that responding to attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia was the responsibility of all three countries covered by the defence arrangement.
He said the agreement creates an important responsibility for Pakistan to stand with Saudi Arabia in the event of aggression against the kingdom.
Earlier this month, Asif said there should be no ambiguity that aggression against one member could engage the collective-defence commitments of the three countries.
Pakistan has repeatedly condemned the Houthi attacks and stressed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security.
Pakistan Has Been Mediating With Tehran
Islamabad’s latest engagement with Pezeshkian follows earlier diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Reuters previously reported that Pakistan had delivered Saudi concerns directly to Iran, with sources describing Islamabad’s role as part of an attempt to stop the confrontation from spiralling.
Asif’s latest account suggests Pakistan is continuing that intermediary role by pressing Tehran over the actions of the Houthis while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Iranian leaders.
The relationship between Iran and the Houthis is politically sensitive. The Houthis are widely described as Iran-aligned and have received support from Tehran, but the extent of Iran’s operational control over individual Houthi military decisions is contested. Claims that Tehran can directly order specific Houthi actions should therefore not be presented as established fact without supporting evidence.
Practical Outcome Still Unclear
The immediate significance of Pezeshkian’s reported response will depend on whether Iranian engagement leads to a reduction in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Asif himself acknowledged that practical progress would depend on subsequent actions.
The verified development at this stage is therefore diplomatic: Pakistan says it directly raised the Houthi issue with Iran, while Iranian leaders indicated they would engage the group.
It does not yet establish that the Houthis have agreed to halt attacks or that a formal Iran-Houthi agreement has been reached.
With tensions involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the broader US-Iran confrontation continuing, any reduction in Houthi attacks could become an important indicator of whether the latest regional diplomatic efforts are producing results.
