ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces General Asim Munir urged Iran to influence Yemen’s Houthi group to stop attacking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.
According to Pakistani officials, Asim Munir spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to China. The call formed part of Islamabad’s latest diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and support negotiations amid the worsening Middle East conflict.
Pakistan seeks regional de-escalation
A Pakistani official said Munir discussed the broader regional situation with Araghchi, focusing on Houthi attacks and stalled direct talks between the United States and Iran.
Munir urged Tehran to use its influence to encourage the Houthis to halt strikes against Saudi oil and economic infrastructure.
Officials described Araghchi’s response as hopeful but did not provide further details about the discussion.
The conversation came as tensions increased following recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure.
A day earlier, Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone near Makkah. However, the Houthis denied responsibility for the incident.
Iran maintains position on Houthis
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei recently said Tehran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs. He described the Houthis as independent actors pursuing their own interests.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has warned that continued escalation could further complicate the region’s already difficult security situation.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral defence agreement last year. Subsequently, both countries joined Turkiye in signing a trilateral defence agreement in Makkah last month.
Yemen has remained embroiled in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014. Saudi Arabia led a coalition intervention in 2015 to support Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The Houthis have recently claimed advances along the Red Sea coast and Bab el-Mandeb Strait while targeting Saudi oil infrastructure.
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