Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan meet in New York to discuss Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will meet in New York on Friday for an urgent, high‑level session under a joint defence pact, the Saudi foreign ministry said, to discuss how the three countries can support Riyadh after a surge in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The gathering comes as the Houthis have stepped up missile and drone strikes on Saudi infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, prompting concerns about regional security and global trade.

The meeting follows a year‑long escalation in the Yemen conflict that has drawn in regional powers. Since late 2023 the Houthis have claimed responsibility for more than a dozen attacks on oil tankers, ports and Saudi oil facilities, causing disruptions to the world’s energy supply chain. Turkey and Pakistan signed a defence cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia in early 2024, aiming to coordinate military training, intelligence sharing and joint exercises. Both Ankara and Islamabad have expressed a willingness to counter what they describe as Iranian‑backed aggression, while Saudi Arabia seeks to broaden its security net beyond traditional allies.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to Fox News from New York, said the United States now faces a choice: to press for an end to the “Iran war” or risk deeper involvement in the Red Sea crisis. U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed a response, but the comment underscores Washington’s delicate position as it balances support for Saudi Arabia with efforts to avoid a wider confrontation with Tehran. Regional analysts note that the tripartite talks could lead to joint patrols or the sharing of air‑defence assets, though concrete steps will depend on the outcome of the meeting.

If the three nations reach a consensus, the next phase could involve coordinated naval deployments to protect shipping lanes and the possible establishment of a joint command centre in Riyadh. Such moves would signal a shift toward a more collective security framework in the Gulf, potentially deterring further Houthi strikes and reassuring global markets. The outcome will also test the durability of the new Saudi‑Turkey‑Pakistan defence pact and its ability to shape the balance of power in a volatile region.