Islamabad has publicly condemned a Houthi missile strike on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea that killed three Pakistani crew members, as the Foreign Office works to repatriate the bodies and assist an injured survivor. The attack, which also claimed the life of an Indonesian sailor, marks the latest escalation in a series of maritime assaults that have heightened fears for global shipping lanes. Main Developments Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took to X on Wednesday to express strong condemnation of the attack on the Tanzania-flagged vessel Tihamah, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to freedom of navigation. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and confirmed reports of a Pakistani national being injured in the incident. Dar said Islamabad is in contact with Saudi authorities and the internationally recognised government of Yemen to ascertain further details. He has directed the embassy in Riyadh to coordinate with relevant authorities to pursue all necessary measures for the retrieval and repatriation of the dead and to provide all possible assistance to the injured Pakistani. Read also: Pakistan Announces Minority Rights Commission on Minorities Day Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, during his weekly press briefing, reiterated that efforts are underway to repatriate the remains and assist the injured. He noted that the vessel was a commercial ship and pledged to share further details with the media as they become available. Tuesday's strikes targeted three different ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman. Yemen's coastguard reported that the initial strike on the Tihamah caused a fire and extensive damage, killing four sailors, including three Pakistanis and an Indonesian. A second strike hit the vessel as rescue workers were evacuating the ship. Separately, a Houthi-linked media outlet reported that the group's armed forces targeted a ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, claiming it was carrying Saudi military equipment. Meanwhile, the Panama-flagged container ship Vela Nova was struck by a missile off Pakistan while sailing into the Gulf of Oman, according to maritime security sources. Background Tuesday's attacks are the latest in a series of deadly incidents near the entrance to the Red Sea since the Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia last month. Pakistan had already condemned the Houthis' threats to Saudi Arabia and to trading with the kingdom via the Red Sea, warning that it had the right to self-defence if its maritime interests were targeted. Islamabad later doubled down on its warning, describing any attack on its maritime interests as a "red line" and declaring that such a strike would be treated as an attack on the country. The Houthi blockade has raised tensions in one of the world's most critical energy trading corridors. Why It Matters The attack underscores the growing threat to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a vital artery for global oil and goods. Pakistan's direct involvement—with three nationals killed—raises the stakes for Islamabad, which has already issued strong warnings about protecting its maritime interests. Pakistan's response also highlights its role in regional maritime security. Andrabi commented on Saudi Arabia's recently announced maritime coalition, saying Pakistan supports freedom of navigation under international law and is a signatory to the coalition. He said Pakistan is ready and willing to assist Saudi Arabia and other partners in operationalising the coalition's communique to preserve the safety of global maritime routes. What's Next Pakistan's embassy in Riyadh is expected to continue coordinating with Saudi authorities and the Yemeni government to repatriate the remains of the deceased and provide medical care to the injured national. The Foreign Office has committed to closely following the situation and providing updates as more information becomes available. The broader implications remain open, including how the international maritime coalition will respond to further Houthi attacks. Pakistan's stated readiness to participate in the coalition suggests a more active role in securing the region's waters, but the immediate priority is the safe return of its citizens.