US-Iran war: Pakistan deploys JF-17 jets, thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence pact, top military and government sources in Pakistan told Reuters.

As the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains under strain, Tehran has submitted a revised peace proposal through Pakistan. President Donald Trump has meanwhile given a "clock is ticking warning" to Iran.



The deployment, the full scale of which is reported here for the first time, was confirmed by three security officials and two government sources, all of whom described it as a substantial, combat-capable force intended to support Saudi Arabia's military if the kingdom comes under further attack.

The package includes a full squadron of around 16 JF-17 fighter aircraft, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, along with two squadrons of drones and the HQ-9 air defence system. All the equipment is being operated by Pakistani personnel and financed by Saudi Arabia, the sources said.

Pakistan had earlier sent fighter jets to Saudi Arabia after Iranian strikes targeted key Saudi energy infrastructure, at a time when fears were rising that Riyadh might enter the conflict directly. That episode came before Islamabad emerged as the principal mediator in the Iran war and helped broker the April 8 ceasefire between the US and Iran.

That ceasefire now appears increasingly fragile. Iran had shared a revised proposal to end the conflict through Pakistan, but major disagreements remain over Tehran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for war damage. Trump said last week the ceasefire was effectively a "favour to Pakistan," while warning that the US could resume strikes if negotiations collapse.

One Pakistani government source who had seen the confidential defence pact claimed it allows for up to 80,000 Pakistani troops to be deployed in Saudi Arabia if needed. Two security officials also said the agreement covers the deployment of Pakistani warships, although Reuters could not independently confirm whether any had reached Saudi waters.

The disclosures come days after reports that Iranian military aircraft had been allowed to shelter at Pakistani airbases during the war, raising questions on the credibility of Pakistan's role.

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