Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact, declaring an attack on either nation as an attack on both. This follows Israel's recent military offensive. The agreement, signed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to strengthen joint deterrence. While the pact doesn't explicitly mention nuclear weapons, analysts suggest Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is implicitly included. The timing is seen as a message to Israel, and the deal raises concerns among some experts, including former U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, given the implications of Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.