Chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a key meeting with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss Iranian attacks on the kingdom under the framework of the joint strategic defence agreement between the two countries.
Purpose of the Meeting and Background
According to the Saudi defence minister, the main focus of the meeting was to find ways to stop the Iranian attacks, which he said undermine regional security and stability. The talks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. In response, Iran targeted US bases across the Gulf region, including sites in Saudi Arabia, using missiles and drones.
Prince Khalid wrote: “I met with His Excellency the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. We discussed ways to halt the Iranian attacks and hope that Iran will prioritize wisdom and reason, avoiding any wrong calculations.”
Strategic Defence Agreement
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in September last year. Under this agreement, an attack on either country is considered an act of aggression against both. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the pact in Riyadh, further strengthening decades-long security cooperation between the two nations.
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Recent Iranian Attacks and Saudi Response
The Saudi Ministry of Defence reported that several drones targeting the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter were shot down recently. Additionally, a drone attacked the US embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday, causing a small fire but no injuries. Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, firmly denied any involvement, stating to AFP, “We confirm that Iran has no role in the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh.”
The meeting highlights ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to safeguard regional security and strengthen their mutual defence capabilities, while also seeking strategies to manage the threat posed by Iranian attacks.
