Can Pakistan Defend Saudi Arabia Without Confronting Iran?

In this paper, we discuss:

• How Pakistan is expanding its defence commitments to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf partners;
• Why Islamabad seeks to strengthen Gulf security ties without joining an explicitly anti-Iran coalition;
• How border security, domestic politics, and regional stability shape Pakistan’s cautious approach toward Iran;
• How escalating US–Iran tensions could test Pakistan’s ability to balance its Gulf alliances with stable relations with Tehran

Download PDF: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia – August 2026