Iran’s Supreme Leader has called on Muslim countries, particularly the Gulf states, to unite against what he described as their “real enemy,” warning that divisions among Muslim nations only serve those seeking to weaken the region.

In a written message marking Islamic Unity Week, the Iranian leader said Muslim unity was a key foundation for building what he described as a victorious Islamic civilisation. He also urged Muslim countries to understand the plans of their adversaries and confront what he sees as common threats.

The message comes as Gulf states face growing security concerns amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Qatar have longstanding security ties with Washington while simultaneously maintaining important economic and political relationships across the wider region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls For Muslim Unity | Gulf States Face Growing Security & Economic Pressure

The Strait of Hormuz crisis is emerging as one of the biggest challenges for global energy security, with Iran claiming it now holds the upper hand over the vital waterway.

Iranian officials say Washington may have to accept Tehran’s terms for managing maritime traffic through the strait. The development comes after months of disruption and growing tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel.

The Strait of Hormuz has historically carried roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day, representing around a fifth of global oil consumption. Any prolonged disruption could therefore have major consequences for energy markets, shipping and the global economy.

At the same time, Gulf countries are exploring alternative routes. Saudi Arabia is considering expanding its east-west pipeline toward Yanbu on the Red Sea, while Kuwait is discussing expanded pipeline connections through Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UAE already operates the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, allowing crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Iraq is also examining alternative routes toward the Red Sea and Mediterranean, while Iran itself has developed infrastructure intended to reduce its dependence on Hormuz.

But experts warn that existing alternatives can absorb only a portion of the oil normally transported through the strait, while constructing major new pipelines could take years.

Iran Tightens Grip on Hormuz | Trump Faces Tough Choices as Gulf States Seek Alternative Oil Routes

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a major trilateral defence pact aimed at strengthening mutual security amid growing threats and instability across West Asia.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement brings together three strategically important countries and is being presented as a defensive arrangement rooted in the UN Charter. Officials have stressed that the pact is not intended to create a new military bloc or automatically commit the three countries to offensive operations.

The agreement comes amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States, Yemen and the wider Gulf region. Iranian officials have reacted sharply to the pact, with some warning Saudi Arabia that a security agreement with Turkey and Pakistan would not guarantee protection.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Trilateral Defence Pact Amid Iran Tensions

On May 1, six armed IRGC fighters tried to infiltrate Kuwait's Bubiyan Island. One Kuwaiti soldier was injured, four Iranians were captured, and two escaped. It's the most significant Iran-Gulf border incident in years — and it's barely made headlines.

On May 1, six armed IRGC fighters tried to infiltrate Kuwait's Bubiyan Island. One Kuwaiti soldier was injured, four Iranians were captured, and two escaped. It's the most significant Iran-Gulf border incident in years — and it's barely made headlines.

Kuwait vs. Iran: The border incident nobody is talking about

A Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is under strain as Tehran issues new demands, including war reparations and U.S. military withdrawal. The truce, agreed on condition that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, is critical for global energy flows but remains fragile amid regional tensions. China’s diplomatic role and potential strategic gains add another layer of complexity to the crisis.


Iran's Retaliatory Strikes Rock Gulf, Expose Security Gaps

The war has moved beyond military confrontation to become an economic stress test for the Middle East and global markets.

The war has moved beyond military confrontation to become an economic stress test for the Middle East and global markets.

'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?

&nbsp;In a world where nuclear capabilities are often seen as symbols of power and deterrence, the Muslim-majority nations present a unique case. This fact stands in stark contrast to the global proliferation of nuclear arms and raises questions about the dynamics of power, security, and international relations within the Muslim world. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact, reinforcing a decades-old security partnership just a week after Israel’s strikes on Qatar reshaped regional diplomacy. Under the agreement, Pakistan is now committed to providing Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella. “This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means,” a Saudi official told Reuters.&nbsp;&nbsp;The nuclear dimension has long been a central element of this relationship. In the 1970s, as Pakistan’s scientist AQ Khan developed the country’s secret nuclear programme, Project-706, Saudi funding supported much of it, covering up to 60 per cent of the main Kahuta facility. The arrangement allows Saudi Arabia to enjoy protection without possessing the weapons itself. Pakistan’s missiles, including the Shaheen-III with a range of 2,750 kilometres, provide the Kingdom with a credible deterrent capable of reaching virtually anywhere in its territory.&nbsp;<h2>Pakistan: The Sole Nuclear-Armed Muslim Nation</h2>Pakistan's journey to nuclear capability began in the early 1970s, driven by regional security concerns and the desire to establish a strategic deterrent. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear tests, Chagai-I and Chagai-II, becoming the seventh nation globally to possess nuclear weapons and the first in the Muslim-majority world. As of 2025, estimates suggest Pakistan maintains a stockpile of approximately 170 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists.&nbsp;Pakistan's nuclear doctrine, known as ‘Full Spectrum Deterrence,’ emphasises the use of its nuclear arsenal to deter any aggression, including conventional threats. Unlike some nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan does not adhere to a ‘no first use’ policy, maintaining the stance that it will use ‘any weapon in its arsenal’ to protect its interests in case of an aggressive attack. This policy underscores Pakistan's commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent against regional threats.<h2>The Absence of Nuclear Weapons in Other Muslim-Majority Countries</h2>Despite the presence of numerous conflicts and security challenges across the Muslim-majority world, no other nation in this group has developed or acquired nuclear weapons. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey have pursued nuclear technology for energy and research purposes but have refrained from weaponization. Iran, for instance, maintains a nuclear program under the scrutiny of international agreements, while Saudi Arabia and Turkey have expressed interest in nuclear energy without clear intentions to develop nuclear arms.&nbsp;This absence can be attributed to various factors, including international non-proliferation norms, economic considerations, and the strategic alliances these countries maintain with nuclear-armed states. Additionally, the ethical and religious perspectives within Islam regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction play a role in shaping national policies. Some scholars argue that Islamic teachings prohibit the development and use of such destructive weapons, influencing the stance of Muslim-majority nations on nuclear armament.<h2>Implications for Regional and Global Security</h2>Pakistan's status as the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed nation has significant implications for regional security dynamics. It influences the security policies of neighboring countries and affects the broader strategic calculations of global powers engaged in the region. The concentration of nuclear capabilities in a single Muslim-majority country also impacts non-proliferation efforts and arms control initiatives within the Islamic world.&nbsp;The unique position of Pakistan presents both opportunities and challenges. While it highlights the nation's strategic importance, it also places a responsibility on Pakistan to engage in regional stability efforts and contribute to global non-proliferation objectives.&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.&nbsp;

The arrangement allows Saudi Arabia to enjoy protection without possessing the weapons itself. Pakistan’s missiles, including the Shaheen-III with a range of 2,750 kilometres, provide the Kingdom with a credible deterrent capable of reaching virtually anywhere in its territory.

In a world where nuclear capabilities are often seen as symbols of power and deterrence, the Muslim-majority nations present a unique case. This fact stands in stark contrast to the global proliferation of nuclear arms and raises questions about the dynamics of power, security, and international relations within the Muslim world. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact, reinforcing a decades-old security partnership just a week after Israel’s strikes on Qatar reshaped regional diplomacy. Under the agreement, Pakistan is now committed to providing Saudi Arabia with a nuclear umbrella. “This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means,” a Saudi official told Reuters. The nuclear dimension has long been a central element of this relationship. In the 1970s, as Pakistan’s scientist AQ Khan developed the country’s secret nuclear programme, Project-706, Saudi funding supported much of it, covering up to 60 per cent of the main Kahuta facility. The arrangement allows Saudi Arabia to enjoy protection without possessing the weapons itself. Pakistan’s missiles, including the Shaheen-III with a range of 2,750 kilometres, provide the Kingdom with a credible deterrent capable of reaching virtually anywhere in its territory. Pakistan: The Sole Nuclear-Armed Muslim Nation Pakistan's journey to nuclear capability began in the early 1970s, driven by regional security concerns and the desire to establish a strategic deterrent. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear tests, Chagai-I and Chagai-II, becoming the seventh nation globally to possess nuclear weapons and the first in the Muslim-majority world. As of 2025, estimates suggest Pakistan maintains a stockpile of approximately 170 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. Pakistan's nuclear doctrine, known as ‘Full Spectrum Deterrence,’ emphasises the use of its nuclear arsenal to deter any aggression, including conventional threats. Unlike some nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan does not adhere to a ‘no first use’ policy, maintaining the stance that it will use ‘any weapon in its arsenal’ to protect its interests in case of an aggressive attack. This policy underscores Pakistan's commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent against regional threats. The Absence of Nuclear Weapons in Other Muslim-Majority Countries Despite the presence of numerous conflicts and security challenges across the Muslim-majority world, no other nation in this group has developed or acquired nuclear weapons. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey have pursued nuclear technology for energy and research purposes but have refrained from weaponization. Iran, for instance, maintains a nuclear program under the scrutiny of international agreements, while Saudi Arabia and Turkey have expressed interest in nuclear energy without clear intentions to develop nuclear arms. This absence can be attributed to various factors, including international non-proliferation norms, economic considerations, and the strategic alliances these countries maintain with nuclear-armed states. Additionally, the ethical and religious perspectives within Islam regarding the use of weapons of mass destruction play a role in shaping national policies. Some scholars argue that Islamic teachings prohibit the development and use of such destructive weapons, influencing the stance of Muslim-majority nations on nuclear armament. Implications for Regional and Global Security Pakistan's status as the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed nation has significant implications for regional security dynamics. It influences the security policies of neighboring countries and affects the broader strategic calculations of global powers engaged in the region. The concentration of nuclear capabilities in a single Muslim-majority country also impacts non-proliferation efforts and arms control initiatives within the Islamic world. The unique position of Pakistan presents both opportunities and challenges. While it highlights the nation's strategic importance, it also places a responsibility on Pakistan to engage in regional stability efforts and contribute to global non-proliferation objectives. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

The arrangement allows Saudi Arabia to enjoy protection without possessing the weapons itself. Pakistan’s missiles, including the Shaheen-III with a range of 2,750 kilometres, provide the Kingdom with a credible deterrent capable of reaching virtually anywhere in its territory.

Among Muslim nations, how many have nuclear weapons? Saudi–Pak defence pact explained

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Calls For Muslim Unity | Gulf States Face Growing Security & Economic Pressure

Iran Tightens Grip on Hormuz | Trump Faces Tough Choices as Gulf States Seek Alternative Oil Routes

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Trilateral Defence Pact Amid Iran Tensions

Kuwait vs. Iran: The border incident nobody is talking about

Iran's Retaliatory Strikes Rock Gulf, Expose Security Gaps

Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?

Among Muslim nations, who has nuclear weapons? Saudi–Pak defence pact explained