Red Sea tensions escalated on Thursday as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), reaffirming Pakistan’s full support for the Kingdom.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shehbaz described the attacks as “totally unacceptable” and said they violated international law, threatened freedom of navigation and commercial shipping, and undermined regional peace, security and stability.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said he, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and the Pakistani people stand firmly with the Saudi leadership during the ongoing crisis.

Shehbaz also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity.

He assured Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Pakistan would continue working closely with Saudi Arabia and the international community to safeguard peace, regional stability and the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime trade through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.

According to the PMO, the Saudi crown prince appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support and praised the longstanding brotherly relationship between the two countries. Shehbaz also conveyed his best wishes to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The conversation came hours after the Houthi militia claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group identified the vessels as Encelia and Layla, saying the strikes formed part of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi state news agency SPA confirmed that the Encelia was struck, triggering a fire at the vessel’s bow, while officials did not immediately confirm the reported attack on the Layla.

A maritime security source said the Encelia issued a distress call after a missile struck the tanker near the Saudi port of Jizan late on Wednesday.

The Houthis control territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The group has announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, raising concerns over the security of global energy supplies and international trade.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the Houthi threats on Wednesday, describing attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping as unacceptable and a violation of international law. The ministry warned that continued threats to maritime trade could endanger regional stability and disrupt global commerce.

Shipping data showed that five oil tankers altered their routes to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while three Saudi oil tankers bound for China and India turned back earlier this week.

Analysts warned that any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could significantly affect global oil markets. The waterway serves as a vital gateway for energy exports from the Middle East to Asia, and a complete closure could reduce global oil supplies and increase transportation costs.

Mohammed Albasha, founder of the Washington-based Basha Report risk advisory firm, said uncertainty alone could disrupt shipping even if the Houthis do not expand their attacks. He added that the key question remains whether the group will begin directly targeting vessels heading to Saudi ports.