As tensions escalate between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, Pakistan faces mounting pressure to abandon its mediating role and choose a side, according to reporting on September 12, 2026. Pakistan has long played a dual role as Riyadh's defender while maintaining diplomatic connections, but the escalating conflict is testing its ability to sustain both positions.
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As Saudi tensions with Iran-backed Houthis escalate, mediator Pakistan faces pressure to choose a side reuters.com
By Mubasher Bukhari, Parisa Hafezi, Asif Shahzad and Ariba Shahid ISLAMABAD/DUBAI, Sept 11 (Reuters) - For much of the past year, Pakistan has played a dual role as Riyadh's defence partner and Washington's backchannel to Tehran but this week's fighting between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement and Saudi forces is increasingly testing how long Islamabad can hold both positions at once.
Fighting between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement and Saudi forces is increasingly testing how long Pakistan can hold both positions at once.