Amid Pakistan brokered indirect peace talks between Iran and USA in Islamabad, Pakistan has deployed its force and fighter jets at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdul Aziz Airbase hours after Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan met Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif on April 10th According to Vice President JD Vance, talks between US and Iran have failed. Trump now announced his decision to open the Hormuz blockade by Iran militarily. He also said besides US military, there may be other military coalition partners who would contribute in opening Hormuz Blockade. The U.S. military said it will blockade all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday (April 13, 2026) at 2 p.m. GMT (7:30 p.m. IST), effectively seizing control of maritime traffic in the critical Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway responsible for distribution of a fifth of the global oil supply. However, an Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson said on Monday that U.S. restrictions on vessels in international waters was illegal and “amounts to piracy”, and said Iran would decisively implement a “permanent mechanism” to control the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. threats to blockade it.
Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 13 April 2026
In the meantime, lets understand the what does Pakistan’s expeditionary force deployment in gulf mean.
The Pakistani force deployment announced by Saudi Ministry of Defense came almost at the same time Iran and US talks were to start. The announcement was not co-incidental but deliberate strategic signalling to Iran – “while we support talks, we are also militarily prepared.” This strengthens the negotiating posture of the U.S.- Saudi- Pakistan side. Recent reports explicitly says Pakistani mediation had reached a “critical, sensitive stage,” with concern that any further Iranian strike on Saudi facilities could derail talks. So the deployment announcement acts as leverage at the table.
Saudi leadership also had to reassure Saudi domestic and market audiences Like- energy markets, foreign investors, Aramco stakeholders, domestic public. Because fail talks mean, Riyadh likely wanted to show: we are not relying on diplomacy alone. This is especially important after recent reported Iranian attacks / threats against Saudi energy infrastructure. So the timing also serves a confidence-restoration purpose.
The announcement also serves Pakistan’s dual-role balancing act simultaneously as mediator in Islamabad and defense partner in Riyadh. At first glance this seems contradictory, but strategically it can actually reinforce Pakistan’s leverage. Pakistan can tell Iran: “we have influence with Saudi Arabia and can help restrain escalation” And tell Saudi: “we are not neutral bystanders; we remain your treaty partner” This increases Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance in the talks held in Islamabad.
The Pakistani deployment is also a message to the United States. Saudi Arabia is signaling: regional allies are contributing militarily. Saudi is not asking the U.S. to shoulder the entire burden. This supports the U.S. negotiating stance in talks with Iran.
The strongest interpretation is: talks backed by deterrence. In diplomacy, especially during wartime, parties often enter negotiations while visibly strengthening military posture. So the sequence is likely intentional: talks begin in Islamabad, military deterrence visibly raised in Dhahran. This is classic “negotiate while holding a stronger hand. Or to speak from position of strength in Trump’s words” It does not necessarily mean Saudi wanted talks to fail.
Rather, it suggests Saudi wanted any deal to emerge under a clear demonstration of readiness. So diplomacy under military pressure. And perhaps this explains why Army Chief and CDF Field Marshal received Iranian delegation in Army fatigue and US VP JD Vance in civilian suit.
The Saudi deployment strengthened Riyadh’s defense in the wake of failed talks. That includes protection from: Iranian drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, attacks on oil infrastructure, which indirectly affects Hormuz stability.
So there is pressure and counter pressure from both sides. US President in strong words has clarified no nuclear Iran and opening of Hormuz Strait without conditions. Now use of military is indispensable and a confrontation a likely scenario. Meanwhile Chinese foreign minister met North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un. There had been reports of Chinese cargo planes landing in Iran with advanced air defence systems citing US intelligence. Trump warned China of big problems if it provides air defence systems to Iran. Meanwhile, UK PM met leadership In Gulf countries for possible strategies on opening of Strait of Hormuz as part of his diplomatic mission. A multi-nation US- UK led military option to open Hormuz is not ruled and Trump’s statement suggests a pre- conceived scenario and consequential planning. NATO chief after meeting Trump in Oval office also clarified that NATO nations are with USA supporting in roles US President wanted. It has not evoked article 5 because USA is in offensive role and article 5 is only evoked when a member is attacked.
So, how to see Pakistan’s air assets deployment in Saudi Arabia in Indian context. To my mind, any dilution to Pakistani military build-up on Indian borders is good for Indian security. However, Pakistan can not be trusted as they are likely playing double game with USA and China currently. Everyone knows that Pakistan’s master is China and the day China would want Pakistan to fight for Iran, who is part of bigger China- Russia, North Korea- Iran axis, Pakistan would ditch Saudi Arabia and USA. Israel and US are closest allies and as it is well known that Pakistan has hatred against Israel, and has already fought a war against Israel. It would not take much time for Pakistan to switch sides and fight the very same Saudi Araia whom it comes to protect for. Once it switches sides, taking the two holy cities under its control from Saudi Arabia would not be difficult. Remember, Pakistan can live and survive without USA but today reality is it can’t survive without China. Americans by involving Pakistan playing with double edged sword! Meanwhile, a big question also needs answer, how India is going to deal with new situation arose out of failed talks. Would India join the military coalition? What if Pakistan’s military also joins US-UK led coalition?
We must remember that Iran who was pro India way back in 1994 in UN Security Council has become pro Pakistan in UNSC and it has supported pro- Pakistani resolutions in 2019 & 2024 on the issue of Kashmir conflict in UNSC. Secondly, one must not forget the role played by Hamas in Pahalgam attack as many media reports highlighted and the world is aware about the Iranian support to Hamas. Moreover, the Pahalgam attack happened on the day PM was upposed to sign billions of dollars deal with Saudi Arabia, the staunch rival of Iran. So, who is friend and who is not.
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