Saudi Arabia, the strongest Gulf state, is home to Islam’s holiest sites and one of the world’s top oil exporters, while Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country. Tehran has attacked U.S. bases and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan and Israel. Mansoor Ahmed, of the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies ‌Centre, said Pakistan and Turkey bring strong defense industries to the table, while ⁠Saudi Arabia could contribute with technological spending. Pakistan has provided training and technical assistance to Saudi forces for decades, while Turkey and Pakistan have exchanged warships and training aircraft. Pakistan ‌has since deployed about 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones ​and an air defense system to the kingdom, Reuters reported in May, and has pursued wider Gulf ‌security ties.