FDD | September 18, 2025
Latest Developments
Flags of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Image created by AI.
- Mutual Defense Agreement: Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact on September 17, strengthening the longstanding security partnership between the two nations. “The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” a joint statement read. Asked whether the agreement meant that Riyadh now has nuclear guarantees under Islamabad’s umbrella, a senior Saudi official stated, “This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means.”
- Strengthening Alliances: Pakistan’s alliance with Saudi Arabia is decades old, with some 1,500 and 2,000 Pakistani troops deployed to assist and train the Royal Saudi Armed Forces. After Pakistan was isolated diplomatically following its first nuclear test in 1998, Saudi King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, while disapproving of the test, promised Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Khalid Mahmood to “support you more than you expect.” Riyadh then pledged $3.4 billion in financial support to Islamabad, helping progress the nation’s nuclear program. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the defense agreement in Riyadh, pledging to “strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
- Regional Threats: While both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan recently condemned Israel for its September 9 strike against senior Hamas officials in Qatar, both have more imminent threats closer to home. Saudi Arabia has been the target of thousands of attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who conducted missile and drone strikes against Saudi airports, oil facilities, and other predominantly civilian targets between 2015 and 2022. Pakistan and India are involved in a longstanding territorial dispute over the disputed territory of Kashmir. The dispute has been punctuated by multiple military escalations, including a recent four-day conflict in May. In January 2024, Pakistan also traded drone and missile strikes with its western neighbor, Iran, after Iran struck Pakistan’s Balochistan region.
FDD Expert Response
“Though the Saudi-Pakistani relationship has long been close, there have been limitations on mutual support. This new mutual defense pact is likely to remain a symbolic agreement, with its main applicability in nonbelligerent arenas, such as training and procurement. Likewise, assertions that the agreement is targeted toward Israel make no sense, as there is no prospect in the foreseeable future of Israel becoming involved in conflict with either the Saudis or the Pakistanis. Iran is involved far more in hostile activity against both nations. Finally, it is inconceivable that Riyadh would allow itself to become embroiled in a future war between India and Pakistan, which is the most likely scenario that either country faces for military hostilities in the near future.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow
“The deal’s military value appears negligible beyond its symbolic photo-op. Islamabad lacks the capability to project power over 2,600 miles to Riyadh. Claims that Pakistan could provide Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella are dubious, as its longest-range missile, the Shaheen III, has a 1,700-mile range and cannot reach most threats to the kingdom.” — Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Research Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“US lists Pakistan-supported Resistance Front as Foreign Terrorist Organization,” by Bill Roggio
“Trump halts the Indo-Pakistan conflict,” by Clifford D. May
“India and Pakistan exchange fire after Jammu and Kashmir terror attack,” by Bill Roggio
“Iranian Proxies Wreak Havoc Beyond the Middle East,” by Eyal Hulata and Natalie Ecanow
Nuclear Armed Pakistan, There is joke. Half their “tests” failed and are smoking time bombs in caves for the next 10,000 years.
Arabs and specially Saudis, need Pakistanis to – do their washing, cooking and cleaning, nothing more.
I knew deep in my heart that unfortunately we should not rely on our Arab ‘friends’ for anything, period. Sure on paper the Abraham Accords sound great but if the majority of the people in a country hate us, then the government for any one of a number of political reasons, cannot change their minds, certainly not over night. If it’s even possible it would take generations to do so.
The Saudis have been fawned over by too many in the West for far too long. They helped to create 9/11 remember? Obama made the largest sale of military equipment including jets to the Saudi’s in US history and no one said boo. Although somehow still considered a US ally, with this deal with Pakistan, a thoroughly Muslim state with nuclear ballistic missiles all pointed at Israel and who gave safe haven to Bin Laden, a terror state to their neighbour India, proves beyond a doubt that we should not and cannot ever consider the Saudi’s to be a reliable ally. This does not mean that in every case we should turn them away. Of course when it’s in Israel’s best interests they should make trade deals with them, etc. But like when a child misbehaves, it behooves the parents to admonish them. Both Bibi but more so, Trump should in no uncertain terms, spell out the consequences should the Saudis make a deal with Pakistan. The consequences must be severe. You buy nukes from Pakistan, you are no longer our friends. All the US military and economic support will be gone. All those jets you bought from us, need maintenance that only we can supply. All the technicians and software engineers will be called back and you will be back using donkeys to farm your desert. They should be sanctioned just like Iran. This would be a good message for Qatar to witness as they must be isolated and called out as the enemy they truly are. I blogged about Trump’s calling Qatar a close ally here:
https://leonupsidedown.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-truth-will-set-you-free.html