Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss regional security and recent Iranian attacks on the Kingdom.
The meeting highlighted defense cooperation under the strategic pact between the two nations.
During the high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia’s capital, the leaders discussed defense collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. A special focus was placed on the recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi territory.
The discussions were held in the context of the Joint Strategic Defense Agreement, signed formally on 17 September 2025, which commits both countries to treat aggression against one as aggression against both.
Emphasis on regional stability
Both Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prince Khalid bin Salman stressed that Iranian strikes undermine regional peace and stability. They urged the Iranian leadership to exercise caution and avoid actions that could escalate tensions or trigger miscalculations.
Saudi Arabia’s Chief of General Staff, General Fayyad bin Hamid Al-Ruwaili, and Advisor to the Minister of Defense for Intelligence, Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, attended the meeting. The Pakistani delegation included Major General Muhammad Jawad Tariq, Secretary to the Chief of Defense Forces.
The meeting comes amid repeated Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia since late February. Saudi officials report that the Kingdom has faced at least 10 drone strikes and two cruise missile attacks, with three ballistic missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base in early March. Although most were intercepted, one missile struck the base, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.
Observers note that the Prince Sultan Air Base, hosting both Saudi and US personnel, has become a symbolic target for Tehran, raising concerns over broader regional escalation.
Pakistan’s strategic role
Pakistan has maintained a careful diplomatic balance, supporting Iran on the international stage while honoring its binding defense obligations to Saudi Arabia. Recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reminded Tehran of Pakistan’s commitment under the mutual defense pact, highlighting Islamabad’s key mediating role.
Analysts suggest that Saudi Arabia’s reliance on Pakistan under the agreement is growing, particularly as Iranian strikes extend to strategic targets within the Kingdom.
