Saudi, Pakistan defence chiefs discuss steps to halt Iranian attacks on Kingdom

Khalid bin Salman and Asim Munir discussed Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia as the military conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.

“We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement,” Prince Khalid wrote on social media early Saturday. “We stressed that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation.”

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran on February 28. Since then, Tehran has carried out attacks on several sites across the Gulf. Iran has also targeted US and Israeli military assets as the war has intensified, affecting the normally peaceful Arabian Gulf region and raising concerns about the global economy as shipping along the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said several drones targeting the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter were shot down on Saturday. Earlier this week, a drone struck the US embassy in Riyadh, sparking a small fire but causing no injuries.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September, pledging that an attack on one nation would be treated as an attack on both.

Separately, Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received a call from Pakistan’s interior minister Raza Naqvi, who condemned the attacks on the Kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad’s solidarity in confronting threats to Saudi Arabia’s security and stability, according to the Saudi Press Agency.