A telephone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday escalated into a pointed condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, marking a rare moment of direct diplomatic fire from Islamabad. The conversation came hours after Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for striking two Saudi vessels, one of which was confirmed ablaze by a Saudi news agency. Main Developments PM Shehbaz described the Houthi actions as “unacceptable,” violating international law and threatening freedom of navigation, in a post on X. He reaffirmed Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, stating that he, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the nation “stand firmly and resolutely with the Saudi leadership” at this critical time. The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination to preserve regional peace, security, and the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime commerce through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the wider region. The Prime Minister's Office described the conversation as “most cordial,” with the Saudi crown prince appreciating Pakistan's steadfast support and fraternal ties. Read also: Karachi Police Kill Suspect in Girl's Abduction and Murder This exchange followed a day after Pakistan issued its strongest public warning yet to the Houthis, explicitly stating that any hostile act against Pakistani maritime interests could invite a response in self-defence. Unlike most countries, which have limited statements to expressing concern over freedom of navigation, Islamabad's warning was unusually forceful and direct. Background The Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia and threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb strait—one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints—in retaliation for what they described as a longstanding Saudi blockade of Yemen and a recent attack on Sanaa airport. The strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a critical artery for Pakistan's trade and energy supplies, though no Pakistani vessels have been reported stopped or targeted. Pakistan's warning also comes less than a year after it signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025, under which aggression against one country is regarded as aggression against the other. The Houthis began attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea in late 2023, and this marks Pakistan's strongest public warning to the group since then. Why It Matters Pakistan's explicit self-defence warning signals a potential shift in its posture toward the Houthi threat, moving from diplomatic concern to a readiness to act militarily if its vessels are targeted. Given that a significant share of Pakistan's oil imports transits the Red Sea route, any disruption could have direct economic consequences for the country. The call also underscores the deepening strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh, with the mutual defence agreement providing a framework for joint action. For regional stability, Pakistan's stance could embolden other nations to adopt stronger language against the Houthis, potentially escalating tensions in an already volatile maritime corridor. What's Next Both leaders agreed to continue working closely to maintain security and stability in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis have not signalled any intent to de-escalate, leaving the possibility of further attacks on commercial shipping. Pakistan may now face pressure to define what constitutes a “hostile act” against its maritime interests and what form its self-defence response would take.