Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s defence remains unwavering, but diplomatic engagement with Iran and the Houthis is essential to prevent further regional escalation, said Sardar Masood Khan, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking in a television interview, Ambassador Masood Khan said the current confrontation involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis had roots in Yemen’s civil war, which began in 2014–15. He explained that Yemen remained divided among competing forces, including the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council. The wider US-Israel-Iran conflict, he said, had further complicated the regional security environment.
Ambassador Khan observed that the Houthis were pursuing multiple objectives, including demonstrating support for Iran and exerting pressure on Saudi Arabia. He noted that attacks affecting strategic waterways, particularly Bab al-Mandab, had implications beyond Yemen, threatening regional security and international maritime connectivity.
He said Pakistan was operating on two parallel fronts: fulfilling its commitments to Saudi Arabia while working to prevent further hostilities through diplomacy. Referring to the Makkah Defence Alliance involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, he said the arrangement was intended to strengthen collective deterrence rather than promote aggression. Its effectiveness, he added, would depend on enhanced defence capabilities, intelligence-sharing, joint production and procurement, and coordinated planning.
Ambassador Khan said Pakistan was not facing a contradiction between its defence obligations and its diplomatic role. Rather, both responsibilities could reinforce regional stability. He emphasised that engagement with Tehran remained important and that every available channel should be used to prevent the conflict from widening.
Discussing the possibility of renewed US and Israeli strikes against Iran, he said uncertainty surrounding military intentions had increased regional concerns. He cautioned against allowing political calculations linked to forthcoming elections in Israel and the United States to drive further escalation. He also noted that the stated objectives of the earlier military campaign had not necessarily translated into a settled political outcome.
Ambassador Khan argued that if US representatives and the Houthis could meet in Oman, similar diplomatic engagement should be possible between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. He stressed that negotiations offered a practical alternative to continued attacks and retaliation.
Addressing the possibility of Israeli involvement in the conflict against the Houthis, he said Saudi Arabia’s position on Gaza and Palestinian statehood remained significant. He observed that any initiative perceived as compromising the Palestinian cause would face strong public opposition across the Arab world.
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Ambassador Khan concluded that Pakistan should continue supporting Saudi Arabia’s security while encouraging dialogue with Iran and the Houthis. He said collective deterrence, diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation were essential to prevent a wider conflict and restore stability.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
