Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating US-Israel–Iran Tensions

Islamabad: (Web Desk) – Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to support Saudi Arabia if required amid rising tensions in the Middle East following the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi stated that Islamabad’s support for Riyadh is unwavering. He said Pakistan would come to Saudi Arabia’s aid “no matter what and no matter when.”

The statement comes as tensions continue to escalate after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran later retaliated by targeting several U.S. bases across the Gulf region, including locations in Saudi Arabia, using missiles and drones.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed regret over strikes in regional countries but maintained that Iran would continue targeting sites used to launch attacks against its territory.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in September last year, under which an attack on either country is considered aggression against both.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei after he assumed responsibilities as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the reported death of Ali Khamenei in a U.S.–Israeli strike.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia and met Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman. The two discussed Iranian attacks on the kingdom in the context of the joint strategic defence agreement between the two countries.

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Separately, the government in Islamabad is also working diplomatically to ease tensions. Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the military leadership is in continuous contact with Iranian authorities to prevent further escalation and ensure Gulf states are not targeted.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Iran has indicated it would refrain from attacking Saudi Arabia if Riyadh guarantees that its territory will not be used for attacks against Tehran.

Zaidi further noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always supported each other during difficult times. He emphasized that Pakistan is actively working to ensure the situation does not escalate into a wider regional conflict.

Amid the crisis, Saudi Arabia has also stepped in to help Pakistan maintain its fuel supply. Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, global shipping has been disrupted and concerns about fuel shortages have increased.

Sources said Pakistan has begun importing crude oil through the Red Sea route. A vessel belonging to the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation has reached Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia and is expected to depart for Karachi carrying around 73,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Another PNSC vessel, PNSC Shalamar, has loaded oil from Fujairah port and is currently heading toward Karachi.

Shipping sources added that several vessels have been affected by the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, with two PNSC ships currently stranded near Karachi and at a charter port due to the ongoing conflict.