（Saudi Arabia Makes a Big Offer to Iran Over Regional Security)

And Gulf States

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has proposed a non-aggression pact involving Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to reduce tensions in the Middle East, according to a Financial Times report.

The initiative aims to establish long-term guarantees against direct attacks between regional states while maintaining open diplomatic channels, particularly between Riyadh and Tehran.

Saudi officials have discussed the framework with allies as diplomatic efforts intensify following recent escalations in the Gulf region. The proposal draws inspiration from the 1970s Helsinki Process that helped ease Cold War tensions in Europe.

**Official sources** indicate the pact would focus on preventing direct military confrontations and proxy conflicts that have strained relations for years.

According to diplomats cited in the report, European governments and EU institutions have expressed support for the Saudi-led initiative.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the region after periods of heightened conflict involving Iran and several Gulf actors.

Pakistan, a close strategic partner of Saudi Arabia, maintains strong defence and economic ties with Riyadh under a mutual defence agreement signed in 2025. That pact stipulates that aggression against one would be considered aggression against both.

**Key regional statistics** highlight the stakes. GCC states collectively represent significant global energy reserves, with Saudi Arabia alone holding proven oil reserves exceeding 260 billion barrels. Iran possesses the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves and fourth-largest oil reserves.

Bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and Iran has remained limited in recent years, hovering below $2 billion annually despite earlier attempts at normalisation through Iraq-mediated talks.

The proposal seeks to build on the 2023 China-brokered agreement that restored diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran, which had been severed since 2016.

**Background context** shows persistent challenges. Maritime incidents in the Gulf, drone attacks on oil infrastructure, and proxy engagements in Yemen and elsewhere have raised insurance premiums for Gulf shipping and energy projects by over 30 percent in volatile periods.

Gulf businesses have increasingly purchased political violence insurance as risks spread.

Pakistani officials have previously engaged both Riyadh and Tehran to de-escalate tensions, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasising Islamabad’s defence commitments to Saudi Arabia during Senate briefings.

**Market implications** remain significant. Any successful non-aggression framework could stabilise oil prices, which have fluctuated sharply amid regional uncertainties. Brent crude has seen volatility linked to Gulf security concerns.

For Pakistan, which imports over 80 percent of its oil needs, lower and more predictable energy prices would support efforts to manage current account pressures and inflation, which stood at elevated levels in recent fiscal years.

**Reactions** from regional players are being closely watched. GCC states have coordinated positions on Iran-related security matters, while Iran has historically proposed similar non-aggression ideas in the past.

The current Saudi proposal shifts the dynamic by originating from Riyadh with broader allied consultations.

**Strategic analysts** note that a Helsinki-style process could create confidence-building measures, including hotlines, verification mechanisms, and regular ministerial dialogues. However, implementation would require addressing core issues such as ballistic missile programmes, nuclear concerns, and proxy networks.

Success would depend on buy-in from multiple stakeholders, including the United States and European partners who back de-escalation efforts.

For Islamabad, the proposal aligns with Pakistan’s long-standing policy of promoting regional stability in the Muslim world while safeguarding strategic partnerships with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, with whom it shares a 900-kilometre border.

**Future developments** will hinge on follow-up diplomatic engagements. Saudi Arabia is expected to present detailed elements of the framework in coming weeks through established channels.

Whether Iran and other Gulf states formally respond positively could shape the trajectory of Middle East security architecture in the coming months.

The initiative represents a pragmatic diplomatic move at a time when economic recovery and energy security remain priorities across the region.