After Saudi Arabia, Is Iran Next to Seek Pakistan's Nuclear Security? Khamenei Aide Hints at Strategic Shift

Amid growing regional tensions, a new question has emerged: Will Iran seek nuclear security guarantees from Pakistan, following Saudi Arabia’s recent defense agreement with Islamabad? The speculation gained traction after remarks from a senior aide of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a series of high-level meetings between Tehran and Islamabad.

Recently, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi met Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), to discuss deepening bilateral ties. Both sides explored ways to enhance political, economic, and security cooperation, with particular emphasis on border management, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. Naqvi was in Tehran to attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) meeting of Home Ministers.

Praise for Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact

During the talks, Larijani described the Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement as a “sensible and positive step” toward addressing common security threats. He emphasized that the Muslim world faces shared challenges and must adopt unified measures to strengthen defense and economic collaboration.

Iran’s senior military advisor and close Khamenei aide, General Yahya Rahim Safavi, also commented on the defense pact, calling it a positive development and suggesting that it reflects a decline in U.S. influence in the region. Safavi even hinted that the changing dynamics could pave the way for a regional Islamic security alliance, involving key Muslim powers.

Strengthening Border and Security Ties

In their discussions, Naqvi and Larijani also addressed cross-border terrorism, drug trafficking, and trade route management. The two countries have already agreed to form a joint committee to handle border trade and logistics, aiming to expand their bilateral trade to $10 billion. The 900-km Iran-Pakistan border is seen as a key corridor for energy cooperation and regional connectivity.

The Nuclear Security Question

The latest developments have sparked debate over whether Iran could now seek nuclear security assurances from Pakistan, much like Saudi Arabia is rumored to have done. Following the Riyadh-Islamabad defense pact, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif initially stated that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities “could be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed. However, he later clarified that no nuclear transfer was involved under the agreement.

Still, Iran’s increasing diplomatic and security engagement with Pakistan — coupled with Tehran’s tense relationship with the West — has fueled speculation about a potential strategic alignment between the two nations. If realized, such cooperation could significantly alter the balance of power in the Middle East, reshaping alliances and redefining nuclear deterrence in the region.