How Pakistan's Asim Munir Used Secret Iran Oil Deal To Shield Saudi Arabia During West Asia Conflict

Published 25 July 2026 · world

How Pakistan's Asim Munir Used Secret Iran Oil Deal To Shield Saudi Arabia During West Asia Conflict Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 20:18

How Pakistan's Asim Munir Used Secret Iran Oil Deal To Shield Saudi Arabia During West Asia Conflict Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 20:18 IST Pakistan's Asim Munir brokered a deal between Saudis and Iranians using his business relations with Tehran's military leadership. Know how such shady activities shaped the war. Rapid Read Pakistan's Asim Munir got a deal done between Saudi Arabia and Iran that would allow Tehran to sell oil off-the-books and shiefd Riyadh from attacks from the Islamic Republic. (Image source: Reuters) Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir used a joint oil venture with a senior Iranian commander to broker an agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, The Times of Israel reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. The agreement was reached in late March, during the early weeks of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, according to three officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Under the understanding, Tehran agreed to halt attacks on Saudi Arabia. Oil Venture Used As Leverage Munir is said to have relied on his ties with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Ahmad Vahidi, with whom he is reportedly linked to a joint company that has been quietly transporting Iranian oil to Pakistan since late last year. The venture has continued operating despite a US blockade on Iranian ports and has generated significant financial returns, with officials saying Munir used its continuation as leverage in the talks. Saudi Arabia Saw Lull In Attacks Saudi Arabia had faced repeated Iranian attacks in the first month of the war, along with other countries in the region, but was largely spared after the agreement was reached, the quoted officials said. The pause in attacks lasted for more than three months, suggesting the deal had a tangible impact on regional security dynamics.

Missile Strike Briefly Disrupts Understanding Iran fired a missile at Saudi Arabia over the weekend, marking a break in the arrangement, after which Munir warned Vahidi that such actions could jeopardise their joint venture, according to a regional diplomat. No additional strikes on Saudi Arabia have been reported since the warning was issued. Strategic Interests And Criticism An intelligence official said Pakistan is keen to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia, particularly in ways that increase Riyadh’s reliance on Islamabad, which helps explain Munir’s role in brokering the deal. However, the arrangement has drawn criticism, with one diplomat arguing that it risks “legitimising ransom payments" by allowing Iran to pressure regional countries into informal agreements to avoid being targeted. No Official Response, Similar Claims Elsewhere Pakistan’s foreign ministry and the Saudi embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.