US Israel Iran War: Political analysts in Pakistan are questioning whether Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would honour the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) agreement signed with Saudi Arabia in September 2025 after Iranian forces under Mojtaba Khamenei attacked the Kingdom.
US Israel Iran War-Would Pakistan Honour The SMDA Pact?
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently remarked that Iran has been told that Pakistan could be forced to act against Iran if it attacks Saudi Arabia again. In response, Iran asked Pakistan to ensure that the land of the Kingdom would not be used to initiate any form of attacks against the Islamic Republic.
It has been widely reported that Riyadh start looking for more safety partners after airstrikes were launched by Israel on Qatar and Doha in September 2025, casting serious doubts on ability of the United States under the Donald Trump administration to keep the Gulf secure.
What Is The SMDA Pact Between Pakistan And Saudi Arabia?
The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement could be described as a formal security pact under which any form of attack on Pakistan or Saudi Arabia could be treated as an attack on both, committing both nations to collective defence.
Why Is Pakistan Being Dragged Into The US–Israel–Iran War Scenario?
Iran recently made drone and missile attacks across the Gulf, including strikes that have impacted Saudi security while targeting US and allied facilities in the Middle East. It has been argued by Pakistani analysts that Riyadh could invoke the SMDA Pact if Iranians continue to hit the Saudi territory.
Domestic Pressures And The Risk Of Escalation
The fragile economy of Pakistan remains heavily dependent on Gulf remittances and financial support. However, many believe that the memories of 2015 would loom high when the Parliament of Pakistan refused to send troops to Yemen despite Saudi pressure. Many believe that any form of involvement by Pakistan in a US‑Israel–Iran confrontation could ignite sectarian tensions at home.
