Islamabad Signals Clear Tilt Toward Riyadh As Iran-Saudi Arabia Strains Mount | Exclusive

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 13:08 IST

Pakistan’s deputy prime minister said Islamabad had reminded Iranian leadership about its “strategic mutual defence pact” with Saudi, stressing that Iran must respect the agreement

Pakistan has publicly underscored its strategic alignment with Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran, with senior officials stating that Islamabad is bound by a bilateral defence agreement with Riyadh and expects Tehran to factor that into its calculations.

Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad had reminded Iranian leadership about its “strategic mutual defence pact" with Saudi Arabia, stressing that Iran must respect the agreement.

“We have a strategic mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, the whole world knows about it," Dar said, adding that Pakistan is bound by the deal and had conveyed this position clearly to Tehran. “We immediately reminded our brothers in the leadership in Iran to please keep that in mind."

‘Iran Must Consider Defence Agreement’

Dar noted that Pakistan signed a bilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia last year and emphasised that Iran should take this into account amid the evolving regional conflict. He also observed that the “least reaction" in the broader crisis had been directed at Saudi Arabia and Oman—a remark seen as reinforcing Islamabad’s view that Riyadh has not been a direct aggressor in the current escalation.

According to sources in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Islamabad has assured Riyadh of its “full support" and conveyed a clear message to Tehran regarding its position.

Officials claimed Pakistan is supporting Saudi Arabia “at every forum and in every field", including strategic defence partnerships. One source described the policy bluntly: “For Pakistan, Haramain Sharifain first, then the rest of the world."

“Haramain Sharifain" refers to the two holiest Islamic sites—the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah—both located in Saudi Arabia. The phrase underscores the religious and strategic centrality Riyadh holds in Pakistan’s foreign policy calculus.

Demographic and Strategic Calculations

Dar also pointed to demographic realities shaping Islamabad’s approach. Around 2.5 million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, compared to roughly 35,000 in Iran. “We have to look at broader optics," he said, signalling that economic remittances and expatriate welfare are significant considerations.

Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s key financial backers, having extended loans, oil facilities and investment commitments during Islamabad’s recent economic crises. The defence partnership has also deepened in recent years, including joint military cooperation and security coordination.

Balancing Act Under Scrutiny

Pakistan has historically sought to balance ties between Riyadh and Tehran, given its geographic proximity to Iran and its own significant Shia population. However, the latest statements indicate a clear prioritisation of Saudi Arabia in the current geopolitical climate.

Analysts say Islamabad’s explicit reference to its defence pact and its messaging to Tehran suggest a departure from quiet diplomacy toward a more overt signalling strategy.

Whether this stance risks further straining Pakistan-Iran ties remains to be seen, but Islamabad’s position appears unambiguous: its strategic, religious and economic stakes lie firmly with Riyadh.

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