Pakistan might join Iran war over pact with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, said on Tuesday that Islamabad might have to join the Iran war because of the mutual defence pact signed with Saudi Arabia, as Iran ramps up its retaliatory attacks on US bases in the Gulf, including the Kingdom.

Dar said he warned Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi not to attack Saudi Arabia because of the defence agreement, which says "states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both".

"I made them understand that we have a defence agreement," Dar said, referring to a conversation he had with Araghchi on Saturday.

Dar, who is also Pakistan's deputy prime minister, said Aragchi said he wanted "assurances" that the Gulf state would not attack Iran.

The defence agreement, signed on 17 September, "aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression".

At the time, both nations expressed their commitment to their respective security and "peace in the region and world", which came against the backdrop of Israel's strikes on Qatar's capital. 

Neither state has acted on the agreement yet, despite Pakistan being in an "open war" with Afghanistan since 26 February, after months of cross-border clashes.

Dar's announcement came the day the US embassy in the Kingdom's capital was struck by two drones, sparking a small fire and causing damage.

Iran also attacked the Kingdom's key infrastructure on Monday, including its oil refinery at Aramco's Ras Tanura, which houses its largest domestic refinery and a key crude export terminal. Pakistan's Prime Minister gave Saudi Arabia its "full solidarity" following the attack.

The refinery at Ras Tanura faced a second attack on Wednesday.

While the Kingdom said it would not retaliate against Tehran, Saudi Arabia said it "reserves the right" to respond to defend its security, including military retaliation if attacks continue.

"The kingdom reiterated its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, territorial integrity, citizens, residents, and vital interests, including the option of responding to the aggression," the Saudi state news agency said.

One Pakistani citizen was killed by fragments after an Iranian missile targeted Abu Dhabi on Saturday. 

Tehran and Islamabad have had a complex relationship over the years. A conflict ensued in a series of cross-border tit-for-tat attacks between the two in January 2024.

Iran fired missiles and drones into Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing two children and injuring several more, while Pakistan retaliated with its own air and drone strikes two days later.

Both nations moved to de-escalate, agreeing to work closely together against Baloch insurgent groups and even conducting some joint operations.