Pakistan's defence chief contacts Iran as Houthi forces seize Yemen's Red Sea coast
Pakistan’s chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a call with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, while Iran also spoke with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, as Houthi fighters advance along Yemen’s Red Sea shoreline.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday night, and also with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisan bin Farhan, capping a week of intense fighting between the Houthis and Saudi forces. Houthi fighters have seized the Yemeni town of Mocha, reached the Bab al-Mandeb coast at Dhubab, and landed on Mayyun Island, effectively controlling Yemen’s Red Sea shoreline. Saudi-led coalition officials reported drone and missile attacks that wounded dozens and set oil facilities ablaze in four Saudi cities.
Pakistan’s foreign office refused to confirm that Islamabad relayed a Saudi warning to Iran, but affirmed a diplomatic approach to regional stability. Analysts note that Pakistan is serving as a conduit for Saudi messages to Tehran, consistent with its mutual-defence pact that also includes Turkey. The outreach follows Munir’s multiple recent trips to Tehran and a prior US appeal for Pakistan to influence Iran, highlighting Islamabad’s preference for “silent diplomacy” amid the escalating conflict.
Why it matters
Pakistan’s diplomatic moves could shape the response to the Houthi-Saudi clash and affect regional oil routes.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage stresses Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to Iran and Saudi Arabia amid Houthi advances, while centrist coverage stresses Pakistan’s strategic pressure to pick a side and the risk of being drawn into the conflict.
LEFT
Pakistan is portrayed as a diplomatic conduit seeking regional stability through talks with Iran and Saudi Arabia.
CENTER
Pakistan is portrayed as a mediator under pressure to side with allies, facing security risks from the Houthi-Saudi clash.
The left emphasises
- Iran’s foreign minister and Pakistan’s defence chief discussed de-escalation.
- Pakistan’s foreign office affirmed a diplomatic approach to regional stability.
- Analysts note Pakistan is serving as a conduit for Saudi messages to Tehran.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Houthi strikes wound dozens in Saudi cities as coalition vows retaliation
- Sep 8 Iran announced plans to establish a maritime exclusion zone extending from the Gulf area.
- Sep 9 The European Union called on the Houthis to stop all attacks and warned of threats to regional stability and Red Sea shipping.
- Sep 10 Saudi civil defence lifted the emergency alert in Khamis Mushait following the Houthi strikes.
- Sep 10 Intense fighting has erupted across Yemen's north, west and central zones, killing at least 194 people and wounding 880 in the past two weeks.
- Sep 10 Houthis intensified attacks on the al‑Makha district near the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait.
- Sep 11 Houthi units have moved onto the Hanish Islands and are pressing southward toward Bab al‑Mandeb.
- Sep 11 GCC nations issued a joint condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the UN Security Council.
- Sep 11 Houthis seized Perim Island and the town of Dhubab.
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