Pakistan has declared that it is prepared to take all necessary measures, including the lawful use of force, if its maritime interests or Pakistan-flagged vessels come under attack, while reaffirming its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The warning was issued on Wednesday through a statement by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs following fresh threats by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement against Saudi-linked shipping in the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
According to the ministry, any attack targeting Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country’s maritime interests would be treated as a serious threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereignty.
The government stated that, in line with the United Nations Charter and international law, Pakistan reserves the right to defend its national interests and maritime assets, including the use of force where necessary in self-defense.
Pakistan also strongly condemned the continued threats by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea. It described the actions as a danger to regional stability, freedom of navigation, international maritime law, and global trade.
The statement emphasized that threats against ships engaged in legitimate commercial activities with Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and undermine the rules-based international order governing global shipping.
The latest development follows the Houthis’ announcement of a “maritime embargo” targeting vessels linked to Saudi Arabia in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The move has heightened concerns that instability in the Middle East could spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, creating further disruptions to global energy supplies.
For Pakistan, the situation carries significant economic implications. The country depends heavily on the Red Sea shipping route for crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia after access through the Strait of Hormuz became severely disrupted following the collapse of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States earlier this month. Any interruption to shipping through the Red Sea could threaten Pakistan’s energy security and force it to source oil from more distant and expensive suppliers.
Islamabad also expressed concern over what it described as attempts to draw Saudi Arabia deeper into the wider Middle East conflict. The government reiterated its full support for the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic stability, reaffirming the close relationship between the two nations.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia further strengthened their strategic ties in September 2025 when both countries signed a defense cooperation agreement under which an armed attack against either nation is regarded as an attack against both. The agreement significantly expanded military cooperation and reinforced their longstanding strategic partnership.
Despite its firm warning, Pakistan stressed that it remains committed to dialogue, diplomacy, and efforts aimed at reducing tensions across the region. The foreign ministry called on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international law, avoid actions that could escalate hostilities, and ensure the safety of international maritime trade.
The latest statement reflects Pakistan’s growing concern over the security of vital global shipping lanes as geopolitical tensions continue to threaten energy supplies, international commerce, and stability across the Middle East.
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