WEB DESK: According to a report by the British news agency Reuters, Pakistan has issued a stark warning to Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, making it clear that any attack on Saudi Arabia will be considered an attack on Pakistan.
The warning comes after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missile strikes on Saudi Arabia on Monday, accusing Riyadh of bombing an airport under their control. The attacks have caused serious concern in Islamabad, with officials fearing that Pakistan could be drawn into a broader regional conflict.
A senior Pakistani official told Reuters that the country’s top political and military leadership has conveyed to Tehran at the highest level that “Saudi Arabia is our red line, any attack on it will be considered an attack on Pakistan.”
The development threatens to complicate Pakistan’s potential mediation role between the United States and Iran in the future, according to regional analysts cited by Reuters. Islamabad has previously positioned itself as a diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran, but its firm stance in support of Riyadh could undermine that neutrality.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement last year, solidifying their strategic partnership. Under the terms of the deal, thousands of Pakistani soldiers and a contingent of fighter jets are currently deployed in the Kingdom.
The news agency noted that Pakistan had already expressed displeasure over earlier Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia this year. However, regional officials and analysts say this week’s Houthi strikes have further heightened Islamabad’s concerns, as they raise the specter of a new war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, potentially dragging Pakistan into yet another conflict.
As tensions simmer, the international community is watching closely to see whether Pakistan’s red-line declaration will deter further Iranian-backed aggression or escalate an already volatile situation in the Gulf.
