Pakistan's prime minister spokesman says country will aid Saudi Arabia amid escalating Iran-Gulf tensions.
Pakistan has pledged unconditional support to Saudi Arabia following Iranian strikes against Gulf nations, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's spokesman. The commitment comes as Iran retaliates against US-Israeli strikes by targeting Gulf countries. Pakistan's nuclear-armed status and shared border with Iran add strategic weight to the pledge.
The two nations signed a defense pact in September 2024, elevating their security partnership amid regional instability. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained long-standing military cooperation, but the Middle East crisis is testing these alliances. The defense agreement represents a significant escalation in bilateral security commitments.
Pakistan's position as a nuclear-armed state sharing a 900-kilometer border with Iran makes its involvement particularly significant. Saudi Arabia has been building regional defense partnerships as tensions with Iran escalate. The Gulf kingdom has invested heavily in Pakistan's economy through various infrastructure projects.
The pledge could draw Pakistan deeper into Middle East conflicts, potentially straining its relationships with other regional powers. Pakistan's involvement might escalate tensions along the Iran-Pakistan border. The commitment also signals a clear alignment with Saudi Arabia over Iran in regional geopolitical disputes.