![\"Iran](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-128942783,imgsize-61924,width-400,resizemode-4\/128942783.jpg\" "\\"Pakistan")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIran’s recent retaliatory drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia and key oil refinery sites amid joint US-Israel attacks and Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing, has sparked a strong reaction from Pakistan<\/a>, which has condemned Tehran’s “dangerous escalation” and pledged “full solidarity” with Riyadh and Gulf states.As the situation continues to escalate with Iran continuing its missile and drone barrage, questions are being raised whether Islamabad’s reaction will go beyond verbal admonishment given its 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Riyadh .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u200bThe strikes were part of a wider Iranian wave hitting UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai), Qatar (Doha), Bahrain (Manama), and Oman (Duqm port), spiking oil prices 10-15%. Saudi Patriots intercepted most threats.<\/p>\n Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif<\/a> said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman<\/a> to convey Islamabad’s position on the escalating situation.Posting on X, Sharif said, “This evening, I spoke with my dear brother, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to express Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the dangerous regional escalation that followed the Israeli attack on Iran and the subsequent strikes in the Gulf region.”He added that Pakistan stands “in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the sisterly Gulf states during this difficult time”.Sharif further said that Pakistan is fully prepared to play a constructive role for peace and expressed hope that the holy month of Ramadan would bring tranquillity and stability to the region.But will Islamabad dispatch jets, troops, or nukes?<\/p>\n Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formalised the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in September 2025, a pact treating aggression against one as an attack on both.Core provisions<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The pact’s collective defense clause treats aggression against one as an attack on both, building on decades of military ties. Yet, core provisions emphasise conventional cooperation \u2014 joint exercises, intelligence sharing, drones \u2014 without nuclear commitments. PM Sharif’s call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged “full solidarity” and peace mediation, not jets or troops. Experts say dispatching forces could drag Pakistan into a multi-front war, straining its economy and exposing vulnerabilities amid domestic woes.“The Saudi-Pakistan defence pact is more of a political and strategic partnership rather than a classical defence pact akin to NATO. Pakistan has publicly condemned the Iranian attack on the Saudis and expressed solidarity and nothing beyond that. Pakistan in no way will get into any kind of military involvement as it has enough on its hand both externally with Afghanistan and internally with TTP and BLA. This once again exposes the double standards which Pakistani leadership has been exhibiting from time to time,” said Major General Rajan Kochar (Retd).Experts add that Islamabad will likely stick to diplomacy, logistics aid, or overflight rights \u2014 bolstering Riyadh without boots on ground.<\/div>\n\nSaudi cities, Aramaco oil refinery attacked<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Pakistan’s reaction<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What the defence pact says <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\u200bWill Pakistan step up?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n