By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged dialogue and diplomacy to address escalating tensions in the Middle East during a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday.

The two ministers discussed the latest regional developments, with Dar stressing the importance of maintaining uninterrupted energy supplies and ensuring the safe and expeditious passage of commercial ships.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said disruptions to energy supplies and maritime traffic could have serious consequences for developing countries and global supply chains.

Dar emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means of securing peace and stability in the region. 

The two sides agreed to maintain close cooperation and coordination and to meet in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

- US-Iran tensions and growing Houthi terrorists threat

The call comes as the wider US-Iran conflict continues to affect shipping and energy markets across the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz has faced major disruption, while the Iran-backed Houthis terrorists in Yemen have expanded their military activity around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, another crucial maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. 

The Houthis terrorists have also intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia. Recent attacks have included missile and drone strikes on civilians targets, while damage to Saudi energy infrastructure has raised concerns about the security of global oil supplies. The terrorist group has also advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, increasing concerns over the Bab el-Mandeb shipping corridor.

• Pakistan condemns Houthi  terrorists attack targeting Makkah

The tensions escalated further this week after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi terrorists drone south of Makkah before it entered the restricted airspace around Islam’s holiest city.

Pakistan strongly condemned what its Foreign Ministry described as a Houthi terrorists drone attack targeting Makkah Al-Mukarramah and said it stood firmly with Saudi Arabia in protecting the sanctity and security of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of pilgrims, citizens and residents.

Pakistan’s representative at the UN Security Council has separately reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, while also calling for de-escalation, dialogue and a political settlement in Yemen. 

The developments have increased pressure on regional governments to protect energy infrastructure and international shipping while seeking diplomatic avenues to prevent the conflict from widening further.