KARACHI: Saudi political researcher Salman Al-Ansari has said Riyadh would activate its bilateral defense agreement with Pakistan — and benefit from what he described as a “nuclear umbrella” — if the Kingdom were to enter a war with Iran.
In an interview with Canada’s CBC News, Al-Ansari remarked that “Saudi Arabia will activate its bilateral defense agreement with Pakistan if it enters a war with Iran.” The comments were also shared in a 43-second video he posted on X, where CBC quoted him as saying: “The Kingdom is angry but so far restraint.”
From my latest interview with @CBC 🇨🇦:
“Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 will activate its bilateral defense agreement with Pakistan 🇵🇰 if it enters a war with Iran 🇮🇷.” pic.twitter.com/EiQK38eeEJ
— Salman Al-Ansari | سلمان الأنصاري (@Salansar1) March 17, 2026
When asked by the anchor what it would take for Saudi Arabia to join the fight, Al-Ansari responded: “There is no one clear-cut answer. If the Saudis decide to enter with complete force with regards to this war, Iran is definitely gonna be the biggest loser because Saudi Arabia will activate its bilateral defense agreement with Pakistan.”
Pressed on Pakistan’s nuclear status, he added: “Absolutely, we can say it literally that there is a nuclear umbrella over Saudi Arabia.” The anchor noted this sounded like a warning to Iran, to which Al-Ansari replied: “Absolutely.”
The remarks underscore the depth of the longstanding Saudi-Pakistan defense partnership, which has historically included joint training, military exercises, and mutual support agreements. Analysts say the statement signals Riyadh’s readiness to call on Islamabad in the event of a direct Saudi-Iran conflict.
Observers and analysts believe the comments by Salman Al-Ansari, which also reflect official Saudi policy, come amid heightened regional tensions and have already sparked debate on X over reciprocity, Pakistan’s own security priorities, and the dynamics of the alliance.
The assertion also aligns with broader reporting on the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, signed in 2025, and follows recent high-level meetings between defense leaders of both countries in the wake of Iranian strikes.
