Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Discuss Iranian Attacks as Kingdom’s Air Defenses Deter Threats
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have discussed the recent escalation in the region, with a particular focus on Iranian attacks on the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Saudi air defenses continue to neutralize more Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting sites in the Kingdom, including Aramco’s Shaybah field in the Empty Quarter and Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj.
Saudi-Pakistani Talks
The Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Their discussions focused on Iran’s aggressions against Saudi Arabia, amid the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East, involving the US, Israel and Iran.
“We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement,” Prince Khalid posted on X.
During their meeting, the two officials stressed that the Iranian actions “undermine regional security and stability.” They also expressed hope that “the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation.”
Defense Partnership
On September 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, during Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh. The agreement underscores both nations’ commitment to strengthening their security and establishing regional and international security and peace.
Furthermore, it aims to boost mutual defense cooperation and enhance joint deterrence against any potential aggression. Importantly, the agreement clearly states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
Moreover, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif suggested that Islamabad’s nuclear deterrent will be available to Saudi Arabia under the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement.
“Pakistan’s nuclear capability was established a long time ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield. What we have, our capabilities, will absolutely be available under this pact,” he said in a televised interview at the time.
With a total inventory of around 170 nuclear warheads, Pakistan has the world’s sixth largest nuclear arsenal, according to SIPRI. Islamabad also continues to gradually expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal.
Deterring Iranian Attacks
Amid the current regional escalation, Saudi Arabia’s air defenses continue to repel Iranian drone and missile attacks. On Saturday, the Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed 23 drones and three ballistic missiles.
In a series of statements on X, the Defense Ministry’s official spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said that the air defenses repelled 21 drone attacks targeting Aramco’s Shaybah field in the Empty Quarter and two drones east of Riyadh city.
Al-Maliki also said that air defenses intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj.
Shaybah is the Kingdom’s “super-giant” oilfield, producing 1 million barrels of oil per day. It also hosts a 2.4 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bscfd) Natural Gas Liquids recovery plant, providing large volumes of ethane, critical for industrial development, alongside other NGLs.
Regional Military Escalation
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a massive joint attack against Iran, eliminating its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and multiple top-tier officials. In response, Iran unleashed a wave of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the region.
While US and Israeli strikes continue to pound Iranian cities, Iranian missiles and drones have directly violated the sovereignty of several Arab States, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Oman.
Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region have confronted a surge in Iranian aerial aggressions. This included targeting Ras Tanura oil refinery in the Eastern Province, and the US Embassy in Riyadh on March 3, causing a limited fire and minor damage to the building.
As a result, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries strongly condemned the Iranian aggressions, stressing their right to self-defense in the face of these heinous attacks.
