Pakistan's Army Chief Brokers Oil Deal to Protect Saudi Arabia from Iran

In a significant diplomatic maneuver, Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir has reportedly utilized his connections with a senior Iranian military official to broker a discreet agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This arrangement, as detailed by The Times of Israel, has led to a cessation of Iranian missile strikes targeting the Gulf nation. The report, which draws on insights from three anonymous sources, including a Middle Eastern diplomat and a regional intelligence operative, indicates that this deal was forged in late March, coinciding with the early stages of escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. During this period, Saudi Arabia faced a series of missile attacks from Iran, which abruptly stopped following the establishment of this covert understanding.

The negotiations reportedly hinged on a joint oil transport initiative involving Asim Munir and Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Since late last year, this commercial operation has been facilitating the transfer of Iranian oil into Pakistan, continuing despite the international sanctions imposed on Iranian energy exports. This partnership has proven financially beneficial for both parties, particularly as Iran grapples with a maritime blockade from the United States that has severely impacted its shipping and oil export capabilities. According to one of the sources, Munir warned Vahidi that ongoing Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia could jeopardize the future of their joint oil venture. Following this warning, Iran is said to have halted its missile assaults against Saudi targets.