Key facts
- Saudi Arabia is building regional defensive alliances to deter attacks from Iran and its allies.
- Attempts to establish a multinational maritime coalition in the Red Sea have not yet prevented attacks.
- A defense pact signed with Turkey and Pakistan has also failed to deter assaults.
- The kingdom has faced attacks on critical oil infrastructure from Yemen and Iraq.
- Saudi Arabia and the U.S. conducted joint airstrikes against Iraqi militias blamed for attacks.
- Riyadh announced its intention to lead a maritime defense coalition in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia is actively constructing regional defensive alliances in an effort to deter attacks from Iran and its network of allies, and to respond more effectively to ongoing assaults. However, these nascent efforts, including attempts to form a multinational maritime coalition in the Red Sea and a defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan, have so far failed to prevent further attacks.
The kingdom has faced significant assaults on its critical oil infrastructure from Yemen and Iraq, as well as threats to its shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. In response, Saudi Arabia and the United States conducted joint airstrikes targeting Iraqi militias believed to be responsible for the attacks. This marked the first publicly announced retaliation by Riyadh during the ongoing war, despite its efforts to avoid being perceived as a co-belligerent.
Following these developments, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to lead a maritime defense coalition in the Red Sea and revealed a joint defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, signed in Mecca. Analysts suggest these moves signal a willingness to escalate deterrence policies, moving beyond diplomacy, though joint military action is considered unlikely at this stage. The strategy aims to protect the kingdom's ambitious economic vision without becoming entangled in a broader regional conflict.
Analysts note that Saudi Arabia's desire to avoid war is being exploited by its adversaries. The Houthis, for instance, have continued to attack oil installations even after the new defense agreement was announced. The kingdom's approach has involved absorbing initial attacks and pursuing diplomatic channels, with limited, often secret, military responses. A tentative calm with Iran was achieved around the time of an April ceasefire with the U.S., but recent events have jeopardized this stability.