The conflict, fueled by Iran’s support for the Houthis, has drawn Pakistan into a balancing act between its Gulf alliances and its strategic ties to Tehran.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, struck a mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region on 13 September 2026, wounding two people and damaging buildings, according to Saudi Civil Defence. The group also claimed responsibility for a separate attack on a Saudi military base in Najran, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities that have disrupted Yemen’s long-running conflict. The strikes come as the Houthis continue to target Saudi oil infrastructure.
Houthis Target Saudi Infrastructure
The Houthis’ attacks on Saudi territory have intensified since July 2026, following a collapse in a UN-brokered truce. On 13 September, the group targeted a mosque in Jazan, a southern Saudi city near the Yemeni border, with a projectile that also damaged vehicles and other structures. Saudi authorities condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,
noting that the strike occurred in a civilian area. The Houthis claimed the attack was aimed at a military base, but Saudi officials said the danger had since subsided in the affected region.
Satellite imagery from 8 September 2026 showed the East-West pipeline facility in Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz region, according to Reuters. The attack coincided with the group’s broader campaign to control the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital maritime chokepoint for global trade. On 24 August, the Houthis claimed to have struck a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile, causing a fire and prompting other vessels in the area to flee.
Iran’s Stance and Diplomatic Efforts
Iran has maintained a firm position in the conflict, with Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, stating on 13 September that as long as the American side does not accept all of Iran’s conditions, dialogue and negotiation are of no use.
This sentiment reflects Tehran’s broader resistance to U.S. pressure, which has escalated since the collapse of a June agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions. Despite this, Iran has expressed willingness to engage in talks with Gulf states, including a planned meeting in Oman to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. However, a senior Iranian official downplayed the likelihood of a breakthrough, citing the complexity of the issues at hand.
The Houthis’ actions have also drawn condemnation from the United Nations Security Council, which held an emergency session in September 2026. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg warned that Yemen faces a new and more dangerous phase of war,
as the group has expanded its control over the Red Sea coast, including the strategic port of Mocha. The conflict has already displaced tens of thousands of people and killed over 500, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Pakistan’s Delicate Mediation Role
Pakistan finds itself at the center of the crisis, balancing its defense alliance with Saudi Arabia and its strategic ties to Iran. The country has played a dual role as a mediator, with Pakistani officials urging Iran to rein in the Houthis while avoiding direct military involvement. Pakistan is trying to keep a low profile in the Saudi-Houthi conflict because Pakistan’s own stakes are high,
said a Pakistani government official, according to Reuters. It does not want to spoil relations with Iran.
The tension is compounded by Pakistan’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea for oil and gas shipments, routes that the Houthis and Iran have shown they can disrupt. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman, Sajjad Haider Khan, emphasized that Pakistan has consistently opposed escalation and advocated restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.
However, the country’s mediation efforts face challenges, with analysts noting that Pakistan lacks the wherewithal or indeed experience that Qatar and Oman would have brought to the table,
as Farzana Shaikh of Chatham House observed.
Pakistan’s diplomatic balancing act has been further complicated by its recent defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. While the agreement aims to bolster regional security, it has raised concerns about entangling Pakistan in a broader conflict.
Global Implications and Escalation Risks
The conflict’s impact extends beyond the region, threatening global shipping and energy markets. The Bab el-Mandeb strait, which handles 12% of global maritime trade, has been disrupted by the Houthis’ blockade, mirroring their earlier campaign against Israel-linked shipping during the Gaza conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, another critical chokepoint, remains under pressure after the US-Iran war continued following the collapse of an interim deal between the two sides. The Houthis have reportedly held talks with Tehran on instituting a toll for cargo ships passing through the strait akin to the one Iran is eyeing for Hormuz.
The situation has also drawn international attention, with British foreign secretary Ed Miliband reaffirming Britain’s support for Saudi Arabia in a call with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Meanwhile, the conflict’s volatility has pushed oil prices above $105 a barrel, raising concerns about inflation and economic stability.
As the crisis deepens, the role of mediators like Pakistan and the prospects for diplomacy remain uncertain. While Iran has expressed openness to talks, its demands for U.S. concessions suggest that a resolution may be distant. For now, the Houthis’ attacks and the region’s fragile alliances continue to shape a conflict with far-reaching consequences for global security and trade.
