Servant of Two Masters: Why is Pakistan moving troops to Saudi Arabia
Another player has joined the war in the Middle East, Pakistan. The main mediator between the United States and Iran, as well as the owner of nuclear weapons, has deployed 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia. Islamabad says it only performs an "advisory and training role." However, in this double game, Pakistan runs the risk of discovering at any moment that the consultations are over, but it will still have to shoot. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
The Nuclear Mediator
Islamabad has deployed troops to Saudi Arabia as part of a secret defense agreement with Riyadh, the Reuters news agency reported, citing government sources and security officials who described these forces as "significant and combat-ready."
In September last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a defense agreement, the full terms of the document were not disclosed. It is only known that it obliges the parties to help each other in the event of an attack. The head of the Pakistani Defense Ministry previously hinted that these agreements actually put the Middle Eastern kingdom under the nuclear umbrella of Islamabad.
According to the agency, in early April, Pakistan sent a squadron of about 16 aircraft to Saudi Arabia, mainly JF-17 fighter jets developed jointly with China, two squadrons of drones and the Chinese HQ-9 anti-aircraft missile system (SAM). It is particularly noted that Riyadh is financing this, having promised the ally $14.2 billion, and specialists from Pakistan are managing everything.
Security sources told Reuters that aviation and the military mainly "play an advisory and training role." It is planned to increase the number of the Pakistani contingent by thousands of people, and it is allowed to send up to 80,000 troops to help protect the kingdom's borders. The deployment of warships was also envisaged, but their arrival was not confirmed.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Islamabad acts as a mediator in the conflict between Washington and Tehran, passing messages to the parties. In addition, negotiations between delegations from Iran and the United States were organized in the country.
Formally, Saudi Arabia adheres to neutrality in this war, but there are US military facilities on the territory of the kingdom, and Iran has attacked them.
In early May, the American media reported that US President Donald Trump was forced to curtail Operation Freedom Project due to the discontent of Riyadh. The kingdom, along with other Middle Eastern monarchies, banned Washington from using their bases, but later lifted the ban.
The armed forces are in good condition
Pakistan's armed forces have been honing their skills in the confrontation with India and Afghan militants for decades. The Pakistani army is currently undergoing rearmament. In April 2026, Pakistan's army aviation received Chinese-made Z-10ME attack helicopters equipped with advanced radar systems and electronic warfare systems.
Sending 16 fighter jets, two squadrons of drones, and the HQ-9 air defense system to support Saudi forces demonstrates that the Pakistani army is capable of not only defending its own borders, but also projecting power in the region.
So far, Pakistan's response to the attacks against Saudi Arabia has been limited to verbal statements and calls to refrain from escalation.
Chinese Z-10ME Attack Helicopter
Obviously, Islamabad would not like to lose its role as a mediator in the American-Iranian conflict. In addition, Pakistan is an ally of China, so it is difficult to imagine that the parties did not discuss these steps, and the actions of the Pakistani authorities could somehow harm Beijing's interests.
However, at the same time, under the second Trump administration, Islamabad's relations with Washington are actively improving. They have undergone a transformation from mutual indifference to a strategic partnership with elements of personal diplomacy between the US President and the Chief of Staff of the country's army, Asim Munir. In a year and a half, Pakistan has managed to transform itself from a "written off" ally into a key mediator in the Middle East and an important element of the American strategy in South Asia.
The day before, Trump even curtsied towards Islamabad, saying that the United States had concluded a truce with Iran "as a favor to Pakistan." At the same time, the American leader would clearly like the country to intervene in the Middle East conflict.
The Anti-Iranian puzzle
Since the beginning of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, the United States has been actively trying to form a broad coalition against Tehran. However, in reality it turned out to be much more difficult than initially thought in Washington.
The UAE and Bahrain have declared their readiness for direct military involvement, Saudi Arabia has taken a wait-and-see attitude, while Qatar and Oman prefer not to interfere.
The position of the European allies of the United States is even more contradictory. On the one hand, their dependence on Middle Eastern oil makes them vulnerable to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, participation in another major conflict threatens to completely exhaust Europe.
At the moment, over 20 States have formally supported the provision of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but most of them are not ready for direct military involvement. The Arab monarchies are torn between the need to contain Iran and the fear of the consequences of its destruction. Exhausted by the Ukrainian conflict, the EU is looking for ways to avoid involvement in this conflict.
Which side is Ankara on?
The role of Turkey, which is also an ally of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, is quite remarkable, says Vladimir Avatkov, head of the Department of the Middle and Post-Soviet East at the INION RAS, Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy at MGLU, in an interview with Izvestia.
— According to the US plan, Ankara clearly lacks pressure on Iran in this alliance. At the same time, Turkey seeks to continue its traditional "multi-shark" policy and not get involved in someone else's conflict, as the escalation threatens Turkish interests. The authorities have repeatedly called for Israel's provocations to be neutralized," the political scientist explained.
A major war near the borders of the Turkish Republic could further complicate the already difficult economic situation in the country, the expert added.
According to him, Ankara is currently preparing for the possible destabilization of the Middle East region, relying on an independent military force, and declares the formation of a new security architecture.
— But in the future, the pressure on Turkey will only increase. The United States would very much like to include the republic in the coalition against Tehran, but so far Ankara has managed to refrain from being drawn into the conflict. But it is possible that in the future she will still have to make a choice. And it can be quite unpredictable," the specialist concluded.
A source close to the Turkish Foreign Ministry also drew attention to the alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt (on managing oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz), adding that Islamabad has repeatedly called on Cairo and Ankara to follow its example.
— But the Turkish Republic has repeatedly made it clear that it does not want to participate in this. Ankara actively cooperates with these states and is also outraged by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, because this has created additional economic pressure on the country. Turkey calls on Tehran to return to the safe and unhindered passage through the strait that it had before the war," the source said.
He emphasized that the republic did not provide its military bases for the Iranian campaign of the United States.
— Although Ankara is currently cooperating with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, this interaction is more of a platform than a full-fledged alliance, because there is no formal structure there, and so far there are only negotiations. So for now, Turkey does not intend to change its tactics and take sides," the source concluded.
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