Iran attacks Saudi Arabian cities, Aramco facility: Will Pakistan honour its defence pact with Riyadh?
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Iran's recent retaliatory drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, including key oil facilities like Aramco, have sparked global concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East. While Iran claims these attacks are a response to joint US-Israeli actions, Saudi Arabia has labeled them "blatant aggression," with Riyadh and other Gulf cities enduring near-misses from intercepted missiles. The strikes disrupted oil supply, sending prices up by 10-15%, and targeted critical infrastructure such as the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the world's largest. Meanwhile, Pakistan, which shares a strategic defense partnership with Saudi Arabia, has condemned Iran's actions but stopped short of committing military support.
The 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formalizes mutual defense commitments, treating an attack on one as an affront to both. This builds on decades of military cooperation, including joint exercises and intelligence sharing, though it notably excludes nuclear guarantees. While Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "full solidarity" with Riyadh and offered mediation efforts, experts doubt Islamabad will deploy troops or jets, given its strained economy and focus on internal issues like Afghanistan.
The situation underscores the delicate balance of power in the Middle East, where Iran's assertiveness risks further escalation. For Pakistan, navigating ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia is challenging, especially as it seeks to maintain regional stability without overextending its resources. The outcome could shape Gulf security dynamics, influence global oil markets, and test the limits of Islamabad's defense commitments.
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Originally published on Times of India on 3/2/2026