What happened
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 United States military installations in Saudi Arabia, under the two countries’ bilateral defence framework, while urging restraint from Tehran.
The consultations took place overnight between Friday and Saturday, amid an expanding regional war between Iran and its adversaries that 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,” Prince Khalid bin Salman said, adding that Iranian actions were undermining regional security and stability and expressing hope that Tehran would “exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation”.
Pakistan’s military 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 statement added, “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.”
Why it matters
The consultations illustrate the delicate strategic balancing Pakistan must maintain in the conflict. The reference to joint measures within the framework of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signals support for Saudi Arabia at a time when its territory is under direct military pressure. Yet Islamabad’s language was more cautious than the Saudi version of the meeting: while the Saudi statement referred directly to Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the need to halt them, Pakistan’s formulation also emphasised restraint and described Iran as a “brotherly country”.
That difference reflects Pakistan’s long-standing approach of avoiding entanglement in regional rivalries that could destabilise its own security environment. Pakistan shares a sensitive border with Iran and must remain mindful of domestic sensitivities, particularly given its large Shia population. 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 and advisory roles. The relationship was formalised last September through the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, whose details 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.
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. For now, Islamabad appears intent on remaining engaged within its strategic partnership with Riyadh while urging de-escalation.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 8 March 2026.
- Dawn — "Pakistan, Saudis discuss ways to halt Iran attacks"Published 8 Mar 2026 · Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman consultations; the Joint/Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement; ISPR statement; the September 2025 pact; and Ishaq Dar's earlier message to Tehran.
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