Amid the widening conflict in West Asia following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, fresh statements from Pakistan have raised questions about a possible expansion of the war.
According to a report by The Financial Times, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that he informed his Iranian counterpart about Pakistan's defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. He stated that under this agreement, drone or missile attacks should not be carried out on Saudi territory.
The defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was signed in September last year. It reportedly states that an attack on one country would be considered an attack on both, drawing comparisons with the NATO framework.
Defence pact and regional tension
Dar claimed that due to this agreement, Iran did not carry out large-scale attacks on Riyadh. As a result, Saudi Arabia allegedly faced fewer strikes compared to other Gulf nations. He also said that Iran sought assurance from Pakistan that Saudi soil would not be used for operations against Iran.
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However, questions remain about the chain of command within Iran's military structure and who responded to Pakistan's message. Tensions in the region continue to remain high. Saudi Arabia has stated that it has the "full right" to respond to Iran's aggression.
Domestic risks for Pakistan
Geopolitical observers have warned that direct involvement in a war against Iran could pose serious risks for Pakistan. The country has an estimated 40 million Shia citizens, many of whom are seen as sympathetic to Iran.
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Following the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in last week's US-Israeli strikes, protests and violent demonstrations were reported across Pakistan. At least 35 civilians were reported dead.
Pakistan is also facing ongoing tensions with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Analysts say that entering another conflict could expose the country to a potential two-front crisis.
The situation remains fluid, with no formal announcement from Islamabad regarding direct military involvement.
