Munir Urges Iran to Persuade Houthis on Saudi Energy Facility Attacks
Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has urged Iran to persuade Yemen's Houthi group not to target Saudi Arabia's energy facilities, in a bid to bring a negotiated settlement to the raging Middle East conflict. According to Pakistani government sources, Munir spoke to Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi over the phone, urging Tehran to 'use its influence' on Houthis to halt their strikes on Saudi oil and economic infrastructure.
The conversation comes amid escalating tensions between Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with recent Houthi drone attacks prompting ire from the international community. Islamabad has warned that the recent escalations would further complicate the already complex regional scenario.
Pakistan and Iran have been working together to revive stalled direct talks with the US to end their months-long war, with China also assisting Pakistan's efforts in this regard. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has stated that Tehran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs, but Islamabad remains concerned about the situation in Bab al-Mandeb.