Asim Munir In Riyadh, Pakistan Backs Saudi Arabia Against Iran, Assures Defence Support | Exclusive

Last Updated:March 07, 2026, 11:12 IST

Field Marshal Munir assured the Saudi leadership that Pakistan stands ready to provide defence and strategic support to the kingdom in the event of threats to its security

Pakistan has signalled strong strategic support for Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions with Iran, as the country’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held high-level security talks with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The meeting comes at a time of escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with several Gulf countries expressing concern over Iranian military activity.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed what Saudi officials described as Iranian attacks and aggressions against the kingdom and explored measures to counter them within the framework of the existing strategic defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Khalid bin Salman said the discussions focused on steps required to halt these attacks and protect regional stability. “We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defence Agreement," he said, adding that such actions threaten the broader security environment of the region.

Both sides stressed that continued escalation could undermine regional stability and called on Iran to act with restraint and avoid miscalculation.

Pakistan Assures Strategic and Defence Support

According to security sources familiar with the discussions, Field Marshal Munir assured the Saudi leadership that Pakistan stands ready to provide defence and strategic support to the kingdom in the event of threats to its security.

The talks also focused on strengthening joint military coordination and operational frameworks between the two countries during the ongoing Middle East crisis. Officials discussed mechanisms for closer intelligence sharing, defence cooperation and coordinated responses to emerging threats in the region.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, and intelligence adviser Professor Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif. On the Pakistani side, Brigadier General Muhammad Javed Tariq, secretary to the army chief, was also present.

Strategic Defence Pact in Focus

The discussions come within the context of a strategic defence pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in 2025, which significantly strengthened military cooperation between the two countries and established a framework for joint defence against external aggression. Under the agreement, any attack on one country could potentially be treated as an attack on both.

Recent Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi territory have raised concerns across the Gulf and prompted Riyadh to consult its security partners under the framework of this defence arrangement.

Regional Alignments Shifting

Pakistan’s visible alignment with Saudi Arabia during the current crisis highlights the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Islamabad has historically maintained close defence ties with Riyadh, including military training cooperation, intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.

Analysts say Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia could play a significant role if tensions between Iran and Gulf states escalate further, potentially drawing Islamabad more deeply into regional security dynamics.

For now, officials from both countries have emphasised the importance of preventing further escalation while maintaining readiness to protect their national security interests and regional stability.

News world Asim Munir In Riyadh, Pakistan Backs Saudi Arabia Against Iran, Assures Defence Support | Exclusive

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