Iran has reportedly been invited to join the Mecca Defence Pact formed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, potentially bringing Tehran into a regional security framework alongside its long-time rival Riyadh. The reported invitation has not been officially confirmed by Iran or the three existing members of the pact.

The claim was reported by Al Mayadeen on Saturday, citing Mehdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian parliament’s Khaneh Mellat news agency. Rahimi said Iran was considering the invitation and described the emergence of a regional security arrangement as consistent with Tehran’s longstanding call for greater regional security cooperation.

Iran Reportedly Considering Mecca Pact Invitation

Rahimi told Al Mayadeen that “Iran has received an invitation to join the Mecca Agreement, and the matter is under review.” He added that countries in the region “are moving toward seeking a regional security umbrella”.

Rahimi described the reported development as “a victory for Iran, because it has been calling for this for a long time”.

Neither Iran’s Foreign Ministry nor Saudi Arabia, Pakistan or Turkey has publicly confirmed that Tehran has been invited to join the arrangement.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan And Turkey Signed Defence Pact

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is to be treated as an attack against all three.

The pact provides for closer defence cooperation and stronger collective deterrence. The three countries have said the arrangement is intended to strengthen regional security and is not directed against any particular country.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has compared the mutual-defence provision to Article 5 of the Nato treaty, while stressing that the agreement is not aimed at any specific state.

The framework is expected to involve coordination between military and political leadership, cooperation in defence industries and joint military exercises.

More Countries Could Join Regional Security Framework

Pakistan has described the agreement as a defensive arrangement and indicated that other countries could join the framework. This has fuelled speculation about the possible expansion of the grouping beyond its three founding members.

Egypt has emerged as one possible addition, while Bangladesh has indicated that it could participate in an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, depending on its strategic and economic interests.

The reported invitation to Iran would represent a significant expansion of the grouping, given Tehran’s historically strained relationship with Riyadh and its ties with the Houthi movement in Yemen.

Iran And Saudi Arabia Have Complicated Relationship

Tehran has so far not opposed the creation of the Mecca framework. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on August 10 that Iran had “no reason for concern” over the agreement.

Baghaei said the development reflected an increasing understanding among regional countries of the need to establish their own security arrangements.

Iran and Saudi Arabia have been regional rivals for decades, with their competition extending to conflicts and political disputes across the Middle East, including Yemen and the wider Gulf.

In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has supported the internationally recognised government, while Iran has been aligned with the Houthi movement. The Houthis have in recent times stepped up attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.

The two countries restored diplomatic relations in 2023 after years of hostility, following a rapprochement brokered by China. However, bilateral relations have since deteriorated following Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Riyadh and other Gulf states in response to US-Israeli attacks.

Against this backdrop, an Iranian decision to join a defence framework alongside Saudi Arabia would mark a significant development in the region’s evolving security landscape.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share