Saudi Arabia, Sep 25 : Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are set to hold an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss support for Riyadh following intensified attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. The planned talks come under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three.
The three countries’ foreign ministers met under the defence framework and condemned attacks targeting Mecca and other civilian locations. They also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself and discussed arrangements for the upcoming military-level meeting.
The Houthis said they had launched dozens of missiles and drones towards Saudi targets on Thursday. Saudi authorities said six ballistic missiles fired by Houthi fighters were intercepted. Emergency alerts had earlier been issued for areas including Mecca, Jeddah and Yanbu, a key Red Sea oil port.
The latest attacks have raised concerns over Saudi energy infrastructure and regional shipping. Houthi operations have affected maritime traffic around the Red Sea, while wider tensions involving Iran have also disrupted energy routes and contributed to pressure on global oil supplies.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to distance Tehran from Houthi military actions during an interview with Fox News. He said the Houthis were responsible for their own actions, as diplomatic efforts continued amid a pause in direct fighting between the United States and Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had conveyed a proposal to Washington through intermediaries under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened if Iran’s conditions were accepted. The proposal included ending hostilities across regional fronts, lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian funds and easing oil sanctions.
Araqchi said discussions on issues including Iran’s nuclear programme could follow after the proposed arrangements were implemented. A senior Iranian official separately said Tehran was reviewing Washington’s response to its proposals.
The wider conflict has placed additional pressure on energy markets and shipping routes. Before the current disruption, the Strait of Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global oil exports, while Houthi attacks have affected vessels approaching the Red Sea.
The degree of Iran’s direct influence over the Houthis remains debated among security experts. Yemeni, Iranian and regional sources have, however, alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps provided guidance to the group during its advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
At the same time, Washington has expanded financial restrictions on companies in third countries that conduct business with Iranian firms. Iranian airlines have also faced restrictions in neighbouring countries following the latest US sanctions, adding to pressure on Tehran’s economy and international connections.