Pakistan appears increasingly caught in a difficult position as the conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces intensifies.

The Mecca Pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey has added another layer of pressure, with the agreement committing the countries to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Islamabad is now facing questions over whether the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could eventually force it to respond.

At the same time, the Houthi push toward Yemen’s Red Sea coastline is raising fresh concerns over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key maritime trade routes. Any major disruption could further threaten global shipping and energy supplies, particularly as the wider Hormuz crisis continues to affect oil markets.

Pakistan has long sought to balance its relationships with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. With tensions rising across West Asia, that balancing act is facing one of its biggest tests yet.

Watch the full report for the latest developments, Pakistan’s dilemma and the growing risks to regional and global energy security.

Pak defence minister says 'time has come to implement pact'

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply as the United States engages in quiet backchannel diplomacy with Yemen's Houthi rebels while Saudi Arabia reels from unprecedented missile and drone attacks.


Saudi vs Houthis: Riyadh claims to have shot Houthi drone targeting Mecca

The Saudi-Houthi conflict has taken a dramatic turn; air raid sirens sounded in Mecca, Islam's holiest city, for the first time since 2017. Saudi Arabia says it intercepted a Houthi drone before it reached Mecca's airspace, a claim the Houthis dismissed as a "worn-out lie," insisting they never targeted the city and blaming Riyadh for launching dozens of strikes across Yemen. Adding to the chaos, the East-West Pipeline remains disrupted after a drone attack, putting 4 million barrels a day at risk.


Saudi vs Houthis: Houthis deny targeting 'Mecca', blame Riyadh for 52 strikes in Yemen

The conflict in Yemen has intensified after Houthi rebels launched a drone-and-missile attack on a military base in southern Saudi Arabia. The strike reportedly targeted a weapons depot, while Saudi Civil Defence said a mosque in Jazan was also hit. In response, Yemeni government forces carried out multiple air strikes against Houthi positions. The latest escalation underscores growing security concerns along the Saudi-Yemen border and raises fears of a wider regional confrontation.


Saudi vs Houthis: Trump says Houthis don't want us to intervene in Yemen 

Saudi vs Houthis: Saudi's civil defence says Houthis targeted mosque in Jazan

In a major escalation, Saudi Arabia has vowed retaliation after Yemen’s iran-backed houthis launched a wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia, leaving more than 70 people injured and setting oil facilities ablaze.


Saudi Arabia launches retaliatory strikes on Yemen as Houthi conflict escalates 

The Saudi-led Mecca Defence Pact is expanding its footprint. Bangladesh has said it's viewing the mutual-defence agreement — signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on August 7 — positively, after reportedly receiving an invitation from Riyadh. Pakistan says six to seven other Muslim-majority nations are also interested in joining. Meeting in Istanbul, top diplomats from the founding members agreed to work on a framework and establish a secretariat to coordinate activities under the pact, which treats an attack on any member as an attack on all.


Bangladesh considers joining Mecca defence pact, members agree to establish secretariat

Syrian Airlines resumed direct flights between Damascus and Moscow on Sunday, marking the first round trip between the two capitals since services were suspended in December 2024. The route will now operate weekly, every Sunday. This comes alongside a broader push to rebuild Syria's global connectivity: the airline also restored Amsterdam service in July, resumed flights to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on August 11, and welcomed Damascus's first direct Berlin flight in nearly 14 years just a day before the Moscow relaunch. Here's what this means for Syria's aviation comeback.


Syrian airlines resumes moscow flights, restores Amsterdam & Saudi routes

The Pakistani Embassy in Saudi Arabia, in a message aimed at the Umrah pilgrims and workers, urged Pakistani nationals to comply with Saudi laws, warning them against begging. The Pakistani Embassy came out with an AI-generated video showing the consequences of begging in Saudi. The problem has persisted for years. Many Pakistanis have been deported from Gulf nations after being caught begging. 


Pakistan warns its beggars | After donkeys, Pakistan exporting beggars

Saudi Arabia is reportedly taking extra precautions to protect its oil shipments as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea intensify. The latest attack on a cargo vessel reportedly killed six people, raising fresh concerns for commercial shipping. With vessels facing growing risks, Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea could come under increasing pressure.


Houthis kill six in latest red sea attack on a cargo vessel

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for missile attacks on two Saudi oil tankers—one near the Red Sea port city of Yanbu and another in the Gulf of Aden. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the attacks, though Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the incidents.

The Houthis say the strikes are linked to their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, a move they describe as retaliation against an alleged Saudi siege on Yemen. Riyadh has rejected those accusations. The latest claims add to growing concerns over maritime security, global energy supplies, and regional stability.

Houthis launch missile attacks on Saudi oil tankers in Red Sea & Gulf Of Aden

Donald Trump wants more Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and even Iran to normalise ties with Israel under an expanded Abraham Accords framework. But with the Gaza war raging and anger against Israel rising across the Muslim world, can “Abraham Accords 2.0” really succeed? Is this a peace push, a diplomatic diversion, or part of a larger Netanyahu strategy? 


US-Saudi nuke deal: Trump says Saudi should join Abraham Accords

Calls to preserve the long-standing status quo at the Al-Aqsa compound are growing after a controversial incident involving Israeli settlers sparked strong reactions across the Muslim world. Reports said settlers raised flags and sang the Israeli national anthem under police protection during a visit to the site. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey were among the countries that issued condemnations, warning against actions that could inflame regional tensions around one of the world's most sensitive religious and political flashpoints.


Saudi Arabia, Qatar & Turkey Condemn Israeli Settler Incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque 

As millions of pilgrims gathered in Saudi Arabia for Haj, authorities deployed drone technology to speed up emergency medical support across one of the world's most crowded religious sites. Health Ministry teams in Mina used drones to transport medicines, medical equipment, and urgent healthcare supplies directly from the distribution centres to field clinics operating near the pilgrimage routes. Officials said the system reduced delivery time from nearly 90 minutes during peak congestion to as little as three minutes. 

Saudi Arabia Uses Medical Drones During Haj Pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are reportedly signalling growing unease over Washington’s Iran strategy amid rising instability in West Asia. Concerns over military escalation, oil security, and regional fallout are pushing Gulf allies to reassess their position as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to deepen.

Saudi And Kuwait Signal Discontent Over U.S' Iran Strategy

#Gravitas According to U.S. media reports, Donald Trump was reportedly forced to pause “Project Freedom,” a major U.S. naval escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz, after cooperation challenges with regional partners.

Reports suggest that both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did not grant full operational access, leading to a reassessment of the mission’s execution. The development highlights the complexity of maritime security coordination in a highly sensitive global energy corridor.

Saudi Forced Trump To Climb Down From High Horse On Hormuz 

The conflict in Sudan is now exposing deeper fault lines in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and the UAE appear to be backing opposing sides, raising fresh questions over their strategic rivalry. Reports suggest Pakistan has paused a key arms deal with Sudan, adding another layer to the crisis. With Riyadh reassessing its role in regional proxy wars and recent meetings with Sudan’s army, the geopolitical chessboard is rapidly shifting in ways many didn’t expect.


Report Suggests Pak's $4 Bn Arms Deal With Libyan Army Also Under Review

Saudi-UAE Rift Deepens Over Sudan War? Report Says Pak Puts Sudan Arms Deal On Hold

Pakistan’s economic story right now is being defined by one number… its rising debt burden. With external liabilities running into well over 125 billion dollars, the country is relying heavily on global lenders and friendly nations just to stay afloat. Here’s a closer look at Pakistan’s total debt story and the risks ahead.

Pakistan's Debt Burden Explodes Amid $8 Bn Saudi 'Bailout

U.S. President Donald Trump has held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid the escalating Iran war, as regional tensions continue to rise. The phone call comes at a critical moment, with growing concerns over security, oil supply, and the risk of a wider conflict.


BREAKING: Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Hold a Phone-Call Amid Iran War

The Yanbu passage, utilizing the 1,200-km East-West (Petroline) pipeline, serves as Saudi Arabia's primary alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, allowing oil from the eastern fields to reach the Red Sea port of Yanbu. With capacity for up to 5–7 million bpd, it acts as a critical bypass during Iranian threats or conflict, but its reliance on the Houthi-vulnerable Bab al-Mandab Strait and limited capacity relative to total exports makes it an incomplete, risk-exposed alternative. 


The Yanbu Passage: Hormuz Blocked, Saudi's Inland Pipeline Keeps Oil Flowing

Iranian missiles struck the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with air defenses intercepting several. Falling debris injured an Indian national in Abu Dhabi, raising concerns about civilian safety. Gulf states are on high alert as tensions escalate.

Iran War Escalates: Missiles Hit UAE, Saudi; Indian Civilian Injured 

Asia refiners have asked Saudi Arabia to change the way it prices crude, after the West Asia war has disrupted the traditional system. A Bloomberg report quoting traders showed the talks with Saudi Aramco were ongoing. But trades said the discussions may now be successful.


Asian Buyers Ask Saudi to Change Oil Pricing Peg to Brent 

Saudi Arabia’s air defense successfully intercepted a drone targeting the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh, officials confirmed. The incident highlights rising regional tensions and the ongoing threat from unmanned aerial attacks. Authorities said the drone was neutralized before reaching key diplomatic and governmental installations, ensuring safety for personnel in the area. The operation demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s continued focus on protecting critical infrastructure in the capital amid heightened geopolitical volatility across the Gulf region.

Breaking: Saudi Air Defense Intercepts Drone Over Riyadh Diplomatic Zone

As the Iran conflict enters its second week, global energy markets are under intense pressure and analysts are warning of further oil price spikes due to potential supply disruptions. Shares of Saudi Arabia’s oil giant, Saudi Aramco, surged on Sunday - marking their biggest rise since April 2023 - as investors reacted to fears that oil flows could be interrupted by the escalating war and supply routes around the Strait of Hormuz. Aramco’s stock climbed as much as 4.9 %, before settling with strong gains, while Brent crude topped $90 per barrel amid broader market volatility.

Iran War Roils Energy Markets: Saudi Aramco Shares Jump the Most Since April 2023

Energy Markets Roil: Iran War Boosts Saudi Aramco Shares

Muslims across the world are preparing to begin the holy month of Ramzan, with different countries announcing varying start dates based on moon sighting traditions. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the start of Ramzan on Wednesday, while Iran will begin observance on Thursday. The difference stems from variations in moon sighting practices and religious jurisprudence. Saudi Arabia primarily follows Sunni Islamic traditions, while Iran follows Shia Islamic traditions, which can result in differing confirmations of the crescent moon.


Ramzan Begins Worldwide As Saudi And Iran Announce Dates

Leading global defence firms have gathered in Saudi Arabia, with over 700 exhibitors from South Korea, India, China and the United States participating. The event underscores Riyadh’s Vision 2030 goal to localise military manufacturing and strengthen domestic defence capabilities.


World Defence Show 2026: Global Defence Firms Gather In Saudi Arabia 

Israel has begun demolishing UNRWA buildings in East Jerusalem, drawing sharp criticism from the agency, which called the move a violation of international law. Saudi Arabia and other actors have condemned the action amid rising regional tensions over humanitarian access and Palestinian rights.


Israel demolishes UNRWA buildings in East Jerusalem, sparks international condemnation

Yemen's internationally recognized government undergoes major overhaul following the Southern Transitional Council (STC) crisis, with Prime Minister Salem bin Breik resigning and Shaya Zindani appointed as successor.


Major Overhaul in Yemen's Internationally Recognised Govt After STC Crisis

Thousands of Yemenis rallied Saturday in the southern city of Aden in a show of support for a separatist group backed by the United Arab Emirates, a day after it dissolved itself following clashes with forces of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.


Yemen Protests: Thousands Rally in Support of Yemen's Main Separatist Group 

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