• CDF Munir, Saudi defence minister urge restraint from Tehran
• Talks held under Islamabad-Riyadh defence pact

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Saturday discussed a joint response to Iranian missile and drone attacks on US military installations in Saudi Arabia under the two countries’ bilateral defence framework, while urging restraint from Tehran to avoid further escalation.

The consultations took place overnight between Friday and Saturday amid an expanding regional war between Iran and its adversaries, which has begun to spill beyond its intended theatre.

According to the Saudi defence minister, the two sides reviewed the security situation and the steps req­uired to address the attacks.

“We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defence Agreement,” Mr Khalid bin Salman tweeted, noting that Iranian actions were undermining regional security and stability. He hoped that the “Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation”.

Responding to sustained US and Israeli air strikes, in which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated and key military infrastructure damaged, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones in retaliatory waves targeting US military assets across neighbouring Arab states hosting American forces.

These operations aimed to impose costs on US presence while Tehran emphasised targeting only “sources of aggression” rather than the host nations themselves, though the attacks disrupted regional stability, prompted evacuations and forced high interceptor expenditure amid ongoing escalation.

Pakistan’s military also confirmed the meeting in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“Both discussed the gravity of security situation accruing from Iranian drone and missile attacks on the Kingdom and joint measures needed to halt them within the framework of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” the ISPR said.

It emphasised that unprovoked aggression undermines efforts for regional security and stability and forecloses options for peaceful settlement of disputes.

Both sides, the ISPR statement said, “expressed hope and desire that brotherly country Iran would manifest prudence and sagacity to avoid any miscalculation and strengthen the hands of friendly countries seeking peaceful settlement of the crisis.”

The military consultations between Islamabad and Riyadh following Iranian drone and missile strikes on Saudi territory illustrated the delicate strategic balancing that Pakistan has to maintain in this conflict.

While the Pakistani statement appeared routine, its wording suggested a carefully calibrated position aimed at expressing solidarity with Riyadh without escalating tensions with Tehran.

The reference to a joint response within the framework of the Strat­egic Mutual Defence Agreement signalled support for Saudi Arabia at a time when its territory is under direct military pressure.

However, Islamabad’s language was more cautious than the Saudi version of the meeting.

While the Saudi statement directly referred to Iranian attacks on the kingdom and the need to halt them, Pakistan’s formulation also emphasised restraint, expressing hope that the “brotherly country Iran” would act wisely and support efforts to defuse the crisis.

The difference in phrasing reflects Pakistan’s long-standing diplomatic approach of avoiding being drawn into regional rivalries that could destabilise its own security environment. Pakistan shares a sensitive border with Iran and must remain mindful of domestic sensitivities.

At the same time, Islamabad cannot appear indifferent when Saudi Arabia faces military pressure. Relations with Riyadh remain strategically important in economic, political and defence terms and have historically included extensive military cooperation, including training, advisory roles and defence collaboration.

For decades, Pakistan maintained a quiet but substantial defence relationship with Saudi Arabia that was formalised last September through the Strategic Mutual Defence Agre­ement.

Details of the pact remain undisclosed, leaving questions about whether its provisions apply only to attacks against Saudi territory or also to third-party military facilities located within the kingdom.

The reference in Pakistan’s statement to joint measures being discussed under the agreement indicates active consultations between the defence establishments of both countries but does not necessarily imply direct Pakistani involvement in military operations.

Earlier in the week, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he had reminded Tehran, shortly after retaliatory strikes began against US actions in the region, to remain mindful of Pakistan’s defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia. He suggested that Iranian officials had sought assurances from Riyadh, which Islamabad helped facilitate.

Despite those exch­anges, Iran has continued to launch strikes against US infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Islamabad’s approach reflects concerns that the confrontation is expanding geographically and politically. What initially appeared to be a confrontation centred on Iran and Israel has now begun affecting the security of Gulf states, raising the risk of wider regional entanglement.

If attacks on Saudi territory intensify or external actors become more deeply involved, pressure on Pakistan to clarify the extent of its role under the defence pact could increase.

For now, Islamabad appears intent on maintaining a careful balance by remaining engaged within its strategic partnership with Riyadh while urging de-escalation and hoping the crisis does not spiral into a regional conflict.

The trajectory of that balance, however, may depend less on Islamabad and Riyadh and more on how the confrontation between Washington and Tehran evolves in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2026