A major $1.5 billion defence deal between Pakistan and Sudan has reportedly been halted after pressure from Saudi Arabia, exposing shifting alliances amid rising tensions with Iran. The package—featuring jets, drones, and air defence systems—was meant to boost Sudan’s military edge but collapsed after controversial pro-Iran remarks by a Sudanese general. As regional rivalries intensify across the Red Sea and Gulf, the move signals Riyadh’s strategic recalibration, Islamabad’s export setback, and a widening proxy struggle shaping the future balance of power in the region.