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Iran holds talks with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as conflict escalates

Al Jazeera reports that regional diplomacy intensified following heavy Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities.

The short version

  • Iran's Foreign Minister held calls with Pakistan's chief of defence forces and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister following major strikes on Saudi cities.[Al Jazeera]
  • Houthi forces reported taking control across Yemen's Red Sea coast as regional hostilities flared.[Al Jazeera]
  • Pakistan is pursuing diplomatic dialogue, while its defence minister warned that a mutual defence pact could be triggered if fighting spreads.[Al Jazeera]

Key facts

  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone discussions with Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.[Al Jazeera]
  • The Saudi-led coalition reported that Houthi drone and missile attacks wounded 73 people and set oil facilities on fire across four cities.[Al Jazeera]
  • Houthi fighters seized control of the entire Red Sea coastline of Yemen by Friday morning.[Al Jazeera]
  • Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will definitely be activated if fighting enters the kingdom further.[Al Jazeera]
  • Pakistan's Foreign Ministry declined to confirm claims that Islamabad delivered a Saudi warning to Tehran.[Al Jazeera]

What remains uncertain

  • Houthi authorities have issued no official announcement confirming control of the strait.[Al Jazeera]
  • Riyadh has not confirmed whether any pipeline strike occurred.[Al Jazeera]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.