Pakistan, Iran & the Gulf — a New Islamic Military Alliance Taking Shape?
© AP Photo / Pedro Ugarte
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During his visit to Islamabad, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the Islamic world to “form a united front against their enemies."
This call builds on previous proposals by Pakistan to establish a “NATO-style alliance” for Muslim-majority states:
September 2025 — after Israeli strikes on Qatar, Pakistan proposed an "Arab-Islamic Task Force" at an emergency OIC summit in Doha
17 September 2025 — Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact: an attack on one is an attack on both, mirroring NATO's Article 5.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called the pact a first step toward a "NATO-style
alliance" that could in the future include all 57 Islamic nations
alliance" that could in the future include all 57 Islamic nations
April 2026 — Pakistan deployed troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid the US-Iran war
Turkiye and Qatar are also in talks about joining the Saudi-Pakistani defense pact, according to Pakistani officials
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkiye is in talks with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on a defense alliance, but no deal yet
