S Arabia, Pak ink defence pact after Israeli strike on Qatar

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after signing a mutual defense pact, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (Pak Press Information Department via AP)

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a landmark mutual defense agreement, declaring that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both, following Israel’s recent strike on Qatar.

The pact, signed Wednesday by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscores decades of close security, economic, and religious ties between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has long been linked to supporting Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, with analysts often suggesting Riyadh could fall under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella amid growing concerns over Iran’s atomic ambitions.

The timing of the deal is seen as a direct signal to Israel, widely believed to be the Middle East’s sole nuclear-armed state, which has waged a sweeping military campaign across the region since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

According to official statements, the pact aims “to strengthen defense cooperation and enhance joint deterrence against any aggression.” While it does not directly mention nuclear weapons, speculation persists over whether the agreement implicitly extends to Pakistan’s arsenal.

India acknowledged the development Thursday, saying it would “study the implications for national security and regional stability.” – Source: Agency