Iran sees regional defense pact as sign of shift away from US

Iran's foreign ministry has interpreted a new defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan as a significant regional development, signaling a "change in perception" among countries in the region regarding their relationship with the United States. The ministry views this as a move towards greater regional self-reliance.

“

The countries of the region have realized that security is not a commodity that can be bought from false brokers.

"The countries of the region have realized that security is not a commodity that can be bought from false brokers," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press conference, implicitly referring to the US as an unreliable partner for the three signatories. He added that regional nations "cannot rely on the claim of security provided by the US as in the past."

“

Countries in the region cannot rely on the claim of security provided by the US as in the past.

Despite the pact being signed against the backdrop of a five-month war between the US and Iran, which has drawn in surrounding nations and disrupted shipping routes, Iran expressed no concern that the agreement might be aimed at Tehran. Baqaei highlighted the "deep religious, historical and civilisational ties" with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, stating there was "no reason to worry that this treaty will be against Iran."

“

There was no reason to worry that this treaty will be against Iran.

Pakistan's foreign ministry stated that the pact signifies an attack on any member would be considered an attack on all, aiming to "strengthen collective deterrence." Analysts suggest the agreement seeks to deter an emboldened Iran and compensate for an increasingly unreliable United States in regional security matters.

“

intended to strengthen collective deterrence